Author(s): Goran Wilkman; Kimmo Juurmaa; Tom Mattsson
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Abstract: Oil transportation is moving into more challenging waters as new terminals are built in the Baltic and in Far east. The oil export demand requires vessels that need to be designed for harsh environment. From the oil company point of view the oil should be moving not standing for weeks in vessels trapped in ice. One measure is the ice class (classification societies and Finnish Maritime Administration, FMA). Certain ice class requires certain performance (power demand), which is a bit theoretical, in defined conditions. The FMA rules allow also to use model tests to prove the capability of the vessel in required conditions as in some cases the power requirement in the rules is quite high and the project may get into a stop right away. However, ice class does not guarantee the success of the transportation. The whole operation is also dependent on icebreaker service. Big aframax tankers need typically two icebreakers to assist them. In case only one icebreaker is available, what will happen? This paper discusses mainly the utilization of the FMA rules (issued in 2002) in conjunction with model test programmes to check the power needed. Also the general safety and additional requirements depending on the whole level of operation is discussed.
Year: 2004