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VLCC To VLOC

17K views 33 replies 13 participants last post by  Bill Davies 
#1 ·
Help
Please,
Does anyone know what VLCC have been targeted for conversion to VLOC (Very Large Ore Carriers).Various publications are talking of up to 60,but stress that the actual number will be far less when the time to convert comes about.
Below is a partial list I have made up from different sources.


Bright Artemis 1992 likely con VLOC Apr 2007Titan Taurus 1992 VLOC Apr 2007
Tataki 1993 VLOC May 2007
Eastern Fortune 1989 VLOC June 2007
Ardeshir H Bhiwandiwall 1992 VLOC June 2007
Ruby iii 1990 VLOC June 2007
Sunrise 1993 VLOC Jul 2007
Okinoshima 1993 VLOC Jul 2007
Yahiko Maru 1991 May be conv Jul 2007
Sebu 1993 VLOC Jul 2007Shinyo Clipper 1992 Probable conv Aug 2007
Han Ei 1994 May be conv VLOC Aug 2007
Orpheaus Asia 1990 For Conv Aug 2007
Nuri 1992 May be for conv 2007
Yiomaral 1993 VLOC Sept 2007
Grand Lady 1991 VLOC Oct 2007
Agios Nikolaos iii 1991 VLOC Oct 2007
Front Duchess 1993 For Conversion Oct 2007
Crystal Beauty 1993 VLOC Nov 2007

Welsh Venture 1991 For Conversion Feb 2008
Diamond Hope 1995 For dry conv Feb 2008
Sunrise iv 1991 For Conversion Feb 2008
Grand King 1990 For Conversion Mar 2008
Grand Explorer 1990 For dry conv Mar 2008

Those in bold have been converted so far
I note that many of these VLCC seem to be still trading
Any Advances?


Also any info on what VLCC converted to FPSO have also been targeted
in the 2007/02008 year would be helpful.

Many Thanks,
Richard
 
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#3 ·
Hi
I to have been trying to compile a list of VLCC to VLOC conversions

This is just a quick list of some that I believe have been completed

Hebei Innovator
Hebei Success x Tataki
Rebekka N x Azuma Enterprise
Wugang Asia x Asian Jewel
Wugang Atlantic x Atlantic Jewel
Wugang Orient x Orient Jewel
Shagang Giant x Starlight Jewel
Golden Jewel x Han-Ei
Stellar Daisy x Sunrise, Sunrise III

I do have more listed, but I'm not sure of their current status.

Regards Bri
Sinocarrier x Bright Artemis
 
#5 ·
Bob,Bri and Steve
Many many thanks for your help on this, initially they were talking of up to 60+ VLCC being converted to bulk, but times change very quickly in the maritime scene,"people obviously got cold feet" and it looks as if not very many will now be converted.I think there will be only a few more.
Again
Many thanks for the information.
 
#6 ·
Richard,

These are confirmed as currently under conversion. Note that there are more vessels which are "sold for conversion", or simply rumours. It is impossible to know for sure which ships will be converted until they are booked at a shipyard. All are former single hull tankers which would otherwise have to be scrapped under Marpol 13G/H regulations.

Name Old Type New Type Dwt GRT Size Unit CGT Delivery Yard Current Owner
MC Garnet Tanker Ore 275,269 144,139 275,269 DWT 40,668 2008 Unknown Yard Sinotrans
Phyllis N Tanker Ore 285,768 153,347 285,768 DWT 42,234 2008 Unknown Yard General Ore Corp.
Wugang Asia Tanker Ore 264,484 150,203 264,484 DWT 41,703 2008 Unknown Yard Zodiac Maritime Agy.
Shagang Giant Tanker Ore 306,902 155,359 306,902 DWT 42,571 2008 Unknown Yard Zodiac Maritime Agy.
BW Denali Tanker Ore 286,006 153,437 286,006 DWT 42,249 2008 Unknown Yard BW Ltd.
Astro Leon Tanker Ore 285,771 153,427 285,771 DWT 42,247 2008 Unknown Yard Angelicoussis Group
Stellar Daisy Tanker Ore 264,165 146,950 264,165 DWT 41,150 2008 Unknown Yard Dynacom Tankers Mngt
Wugang Atlantic Tanker Ore 281,226 154,277 281,226 DWT 42,390 2008 Unknown Yard Zodiac Maritime Agy.
Hebei Winner Tanker Ore 258,079 147,665 258,079 DWT 41,272 2008 Unknown Yard HOSCO
Shanghai Carrier Tanker Bulk 149,999 78,443 149,999 DWT 28,059 2008 Unknown Yard Sinokor Merchant Mar
Hebei General Tanker Ore 243,870 137,501 243,870 DWT 39,515 2008 COSCO Dalian HOSCO
Mediterranean (TBRN Dong Fang Hai) Tanker Ore 214,860 110,831 214,860 DWT 34,645 2008 NASSCO Unknown Owner
D Elephant Tanker Ore 259,490 149,519 259,490 DWT 41,587 2008 Unknown Yard TMT Co. Ltd.
Hebei Warrior Tanker Ore 243,850 140,850 243,850 DWT 40,100 Yiu Lian Dock HOSCO
BW Kibo Tanker Ore 279,989 153,506 279,989 DWT 42,260 Beihai Shipyard BW Ltd.
Sino Trader Tanker Ore 259,993 147,421 259,993 DWT 41,231 Sinokor Merchant Mar
Hebei Ambition Tanker Ore 285,640 153,347 285,640 DWT 42,234 COSCO Zhoushan HOSCO
Margot N Tanker Ore 277,020 142,488 277,020 DWT 40,383 General Ore Corp.
K Cosmos Tanker Ore 254,991 137,746 254,991 DWT 39,558 Unknown Yard Korea Line
Wugang Orient Tanker Ore 275,628 144,567 275,628 DWT 40,742 Zodiac Maritime Agy.
Stellar Cosmo Tanker Ore 269,581 146,802 269,581 DWT 41,125 COSCO Zhoushan TMT Co. Ltd.
Shourong Tanker Ore 255,396 138,197 255,396 DWT 39,637 Nippon Yusen Kaisha
Iron Monger 3 Tanker Bulk 100,031 57,450 100,031 DWT 23,204 2008 Unknown Yard TMT Co. Ltd.
Iron Monger 5 Tanker Bulk 100,289 57,450 100,289 DWT 23,204 2008 Unknown Yard TMT Co. Ltd.
Iron Monger 10 Tanker Bulk 147,500 78,244 147,500 DWT 28,016 2008 N/A TMT Co. Ltd.
Renata N Tanker Ore 285,933 153,427 285,933 DWT 42,247 General Ore Corp.
Ocean Energy Tanker Bulk 147,067 77,399 147,067 DWT 27,831 2008 Yiu Lian Dock Ondimar Transportes
BW Bandeira Tanker Ore 279,986 153,506 279,986 DWT 42,260 Beihai Shipyard BW Ltd.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Number of Vessels 28
Total Dwt(m) of Vessels 6,838,783


© Clarkson
 
#14 · (Edited)
It's all frighteningly simple. The volume of cargo (tonmiles) has falles dramatically, and the number of bulkers and ore carriers is increasing. The charterers can pick and choose, and owners will choose very low rates rater than letting the vessels lie empty. Many will not get cargoes, but will not quote even lower rates (i.e. there is a floor) because if the rates are lower than the opex, the owners will choose to let the vessels lie idle or lay them up because it makes more sense economically.

The people who have converted single hull tankers into ore carriers probably already rue the day they made the decision to do so.

If the tanker crash of the 1970s is anything to go by, the rates for big bulkers for the next year or two might be bobbing around their opex - meaning perhaps 4 - 6,000 USD / day. This will go on until the surplus of ships is reduced - which may take months (if trade columes pick up) or years (if trade volumes remain lower).
 
#16 ·
usdzero per day is not a lot of fun...


A not unreasonable assessment of the market, but a few things need a bit of tidying up....

Yes the supply/demand has gone awry from the heady days of USD210,000 per day and to be fixing at usd0 is quite a bitter pill to swallow, but it has to be done when needs must; so sadly there is no floor as such. The figure for operating expenses will always be a subject of some division (mainly for the fairly basic reason of whether or not one includes the financing of the ship – at usd140.0million it makes a little difference whether it is Included or Excluded (Jester) )

Whilst many Charterers would like to think of enjoying rates for the big ships at ‘perhaps 4 - 6,000 USD / day’ – the paper market seems to indicate this is thankfully not the case, as tonight it stand at usd18,000 for Calendar 09 and usd21,000 for Calendar 10 – So an average of usd19,500 is about the measure of it in these dismal days – albeit for a modern 175,000 deadweight.
(Thumb)
Mark
 
#17 · (Edited)
Let's hope you are right about the USD 19,500 figure.

However, if there us a surplus of 100+ capes around (which I believe is the case now), the charterers will often be able to pick and choose (adjusted for positioning etc). So why would the pay USD 19,500 to one owner to charter his cape if the other guy has opex of USD 4,000 and a vessel lying idle?

I hope you are right, or (as I said in my earlier post) that trade volumes pick up, but fear the worst for big bulkers / ore carriers for the next 12+ months.

Some pictures of newly converted giants have started popping up, see e.g. here:
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=795562
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=749791
http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=789405
 
#18 ·
Let's hope you are right about the USD 19,500 figure.

However, if there us a surplus of 100+ capes around (which I believe is the case now), the charterers will often be able to pick and choose (adjusted for positioning etc). So why would the pay USD 19,500 to one owner to charter his cape if the other guy has opex of USD 4,000 and a vessel lying idle?
Umm.. It is not really about me; for my views are of little value. The usd19,500 is the paper figure and is the rate that a Charterer will book in tonnage at for two years. Likewise, the present spot rates place the average of the four Index Routes at usd8,952 - So your question is not really comparing like with like. One is spot one is period.
(Thumb)
Mark
 
#20 ·
Hi Mats

Wise words.. whatever else, it is certainly tough times for almost everyone. 1.25pct of very little, is indeed equal to very very little, and without doubt, not as much as 1.25pct of usd210.000 (Jester) . Oh well, it was fun while it last and it lasted a lot longer than most folk expected.

Have a good weekend
(Thumb)
Mark
 
#22 ·
hi everyone.i will join on one of the VLOC - SHANGANG GIANT around 15 of march.i will be very thankful if somebody have some information for this vessel.and especially for engine room.thanks in advance.

p.s. very sorry for my bad english , but this is not my first language.
best regards
 
#23 ·
Firstly a warm welcome to the Site and I hope you enjoy many hours and years of fun.

Secondly the ship; she is Shagang Giant (Ex: Starlight Jewel) 306,902 DWT, Ore Carrier, Built 1993 at Sumitomo H.I., Liberia Flagged, NV Classed, Length Overall of 332.05 m., Length Between Perpendiculars of 317.00 m., Draught of 22.00 m., Beam of 60.00 m., 167.30 Tonnes per Centimetre Immersion, Gross Tonnage of 155,359, Sulzer Engine (Engine Description 2 S.A. 7-cyl., Engine Model 7RTA84M), Speed of 15.70 kts at 78.00 tonnes per day, Unspecified Fuel Oil, Horsepower of 27,000B at 65. Full list of ex-names is: Starlight Jewel, Front Tartar, Tartar. - Call Sign A8CN4, IMO Number 9002738.
(Thumb)
Mark
 
#24 ·
Hi Mark.Thank you very much for your reply.This will be my bigest ship wich i will work on.Mostly i work on cape sizes bulk carriers.Now my company take about 10 of the VLCC and already conversion for few of them is completed.As i know they have already contract for 10 years.I hope the conversion is done good.
Best regards
Georgi
 
#28 ·
Shagang Giant

Hi guys

This subject vessel was alongside my ship which is now under conversion to VLOC. Ex Musashi Spirit at Yiulian Dockyards shekou. I had an opportunity to take a deck round. Seemed fine. she only came here for painting her bottom and hull.

I will post some photos of her.

ER had much of work completed

rest is fine.
 
#30 ·
Vloc

Hi all

I would like to know about the converted VLOC status? The aftermath of these abrupt ship converted structure. Are these vessel's doing well structurally? How about Engine performance?

Springing and whipping are the most affected stresses on these ships, how are these converted giants coping up.

I heard one recently converted vessel met with an accident during loading and during loaded voyage. Developed cracks at the Double bottoms.

anyone has any more information, please share.

Rgds
Capt Gajanan Karanjikar
 
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