13 August 2012
On August 10, 2012, the Atlantic Container Line (ACL) announced their contract with the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (group) Co. Ltd. China for the construction of five new RoRo/Container (ConRo) vessels. The vessels will be the world’s largest and most innovative ConRo vessels ever built. The five ship order will form the G4 (Generation 4) class and on delivery, they will replace ACL’s current fleet of G3 vessels that were built between 1984-85.
Responsible for the Basic Design of the new G4 ConRo vessels, KNUD E. HANSEN will deliver to the shipbuilder a full Basic Design package, including: class drawings, general design of hull and outfitting, machinery plant arrangement, HVAC and electrical and automation design.
Over the past year, KNUD E. HANSEN has worked closely with the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, as well as in close consultation with the shipowner, to develop and optimize the design to the Client’s needs.
Vessel Description
The vessel has been designed and will be constructed as a modern partly open top ConRo vessel carrying both containers and RoRo cargo. RoRo spaces are arranged amidships and container bays are arranged in both ends of the vessel. The vessels will have adjustable RoRo decks plus many other innovations, and have far better energy efficiency than their predecessors.
The vessel will have a transom stern, high efficiency rudder and single screw fixed pitch propeller directly driven by a slow speed diesel engine. The engine room will be located aft and all living quarters, including the navigation bridge, will be located amidships, on top of garage.
The vessel is intended to trade on international voyages and has been designed for transatlantic operation. The ship shall have good seagoing capability and reliability, good manoeuvrability at sea and in port and has been designed and optimized for efficient cargo turnaround in port.
Please visit ACL: Next Generation ConRo click on “Gallery Tour” to have a look at our renderings.
Main Dimensions
- Length, overall (excluding stern ramp): Abt. 296.00 m
- Length, between perpendiculars: 287.00 m
- Breadth, moulded: 37.60 m
- Depth, moulded: (to No.3 deck) 14.00 m (to No.4 deck) 22.95 m
- Design draught, moulded: 10.25 m
- Deadweight at design draught: 45,000 t
- RoRo Capacity: 28,900 m2
- Container Capacity – Above hatch: 2,686 TEU. Below hatch: 1,114 TEU. Total Capacity 3,800 TEU
- Service speed (at 90 % MCR) 18.0 knots with 15 % sea margin
Prior to the contract signing, KNUD E. HANSEN carried out a very thorough project study, including Contract Design and calculations. KNUD E. HANSEN also assisted Hudong-Zhonghua in coordinating with ACL during the contract phase, by providing technical expertise and advice.
KNUD E. HANSEN
KNUD E. HANSEN is one of the world’s leading marine consultancies with more than 74 years of experience in ship design, with a proven track record in providing unique and cutting-edge solutions to the maritime industry. KNUD E. HANSEN employs more than 55 Naval Architects and Marine Engineers in Denmark, UK, USA, Greece, Australia and the Faroe Islands.
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd.
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. is a large shipbuilding enterprise under the leadership of China Shipbuilding Group Corporation (CSSC). The Group is founded through a merger between Hudong Shipbuilding Group and Zhonghua shipyard. The head office of the group is located at Pudong New Area, with major production areas in the eastern part of Shanghai, along both sides of the Huangpu River.
Atlantic Container Line
Since 1967, ACL has been a specialized carrier of containers, project and oversized cargo, heavy equipment and vehicles with the world’s largest RoRo/Containerships. ACL offers weekly container and RoRo service between North America and Europe as well as North America and West Africa. ACL has acquired the rights to the Conceptual Design for these vessels based on Jens M. Nielsen patents EP2259962B1/DK2259962T3. ACL has given this new building project series named the “G4 Vessels”. ACL is a company of the Grimaldi Group of Naples, Italy.