8/11/2019 Stolten Dec 2011 SNITS Newbuildings_9141

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In May 2010, SNITS received Board approvalfor a newbuildingprogramme for itsEuropeaninlandfleet.Afterseveral intensive roundsofnegotiations and evaluation of the variousshipyards, it was decided to continue the finalnegotiations withthe Begej Shipyard inZrenjanin,Serbia. In October 2010, the buildingcontract was signed.

In its six-decade history Shipyard Begej hasproduced nearly 300 inland waterwayvessels.In the past 24years, six majorprojects werefinished, includingthe construction of 18 inlandchemical tankers.

In 2005, Shipping Group Mercurius fromthe Netherlands acquired ShipyardBegej andintroduced modern systems and procedures,turningthe shipyard's focusto the buildingoffully outfitted inlandwaterway vessels.

Throughout the years, Shipyard Begej hasmaintained itspositionas the leading shipbuilderin Serbia. Withmore than 200 skilledemployeesand using state-of-the art technologyandprocess methods, the yard has the resources

who showed me around. Duringthe followingdays, I made various inspections onboardofboth vessels and indicated some practicalimprovements,whichwere evaluated by EelkeI(oole,and decisions were madein accordancewith the budget. In the meantime, our secondsuperintendent, Robert vanEe, had joinedusand the entire team continued withits specificinspection duties."

Captain van derEndt added: "IwouldalsoIike to mention thatthe yard personnel were allvery friendlyand they are workingprofessionallyCommunication in Englishwiththe yardpersonnel is also very good. Afterreturning tothe Netherlands tojointhe SlollWaaI, I waskept involvedin developments. Duringmysecond visit, inOctober, there had been muchprogress and I am sure that Stolt-Nielsen can beproud to have these vessels in its fleet.I foundthe newbuilding process to be very interestingand both myselfand the rest of the crewcanhardly waituntilDecember to start workingonthis new and modern vessel "

To ensure continuityof service to its customersand controlover the total fleet, SNITS operatesa number offullyowned vessels. The upcomingnewbuildingswillbe replacing some of the oldervessels that have been taken out of the fleet.Recently, the class certificates ofStoLt Wien hadexpired and the possibilityof extending her ifethroughcass renewal and modernisation wasinvestigated. Unfortunately, thecosts wouldhavebeen too high to achieve acceptable returns, sothe vessel was sold to a yard in the Netherlandsfor recycling.

The firstnewbuildingfromShipyard Begej willbe delivered at the beginning of January, withthesecond vessel due to join the fleet a few monthslater

SNITS newbuildings: thedetailsLength: 110 metres LOABeam: 11.4 metresDeadweight:5,375 tonsCapacity:3,791 cubic metresTanks: ten stainless steel tanks

Stolt Wien - cargo lines and manifold strippedfrom thevessel, whch is being recycled ata yard n the Netherlands,

and facilities to produce fully outfitted,turnkeyinland waterway vessels customised to its clients'requests, compliant withall internationalcertificationstandads

The actual constructionworkon newbuilding#294 starTed in December 2010, when the steelplates were deliveredto the yard Eelke I(oole,General Manager ofthe SNITS Ship Owningdepartment, is visiting theyard regularly tosupervise the progress of the construction. Toensure continuity, the SNITS superintendentsare also carrying out inspectionson a regularbasis.

In order to discuss practicaldetails of thevessel, Captain Peter van der Endt joinedtheteam in Serbia in September. He has writtendownhis impressions:

"When the Company requested me to sailas Captain on the first newbuilding,I wasimmediately very enthusiastic andgladlyaccepted the offer Immediatelythereafter, theCompany involvedme in various practicaldiscussions, such as the safe positioningof thebollards or layout of the pipingsystems. I was

also invited to joinsome of the meetingswiththe suppliers. On September 14, I was invitedto visit the yard in Serbia, to give my practicalinput onsite.

"On my firstday at the yard, oursuperintendent Kees van Baardewijk introducedme to the Begej project manager Christian Papdi,

Captin van der Endt inspecting newbuilding#294. Newbuldng #295 s under construction alongside,

Newbuldings#294 (left)and #295 under construction.

18 Stolten December 2011