SDARI unveils two new MPV designs

Shanghai Shipbuilding Research and Design Institute (SDARI) has revealed details of two new multi-purpose vessel (MPV) designs suitable for heavy-lift and project cargoes. The Octopus 12.6 and the Octopus 12 have been developed in collaboration with Germany’s Toepfer Transport and DNV, which has awarded Approval in Principle for the two new designs.

The Octopus 12.6 has a single cargo hold and dual 250-tonne cranes. Its superstructure has been moved from stern on its predecessor to its bow, improving navigation safety and manoeuvrability, and its deck area has been increased by about 40% enabling the shipment of larger cargo consignments. Fuel consumption has been reduced by around 15%.

The Octopus 12, developed from its 2004 F-type predecessor, will now consume 56% less fuel, has a larger cargo hold optimised for general and bulk cargo, and is available with two 80-tonne deck cranes. This capacity can be increased to 120 tonnes.

The two new designs will meet the highest standards of energy efficiency and emissions, according to SDARI, a China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary. They will meet Stage III of the Energy Efficiency Design Index and adhere to Tier III NOx emission standards.

The designs, which will both use SDARI’s energy efficiency system – Digital Operation Support System (DOSS) – will come with various options including two-stroke or four-stroke engines and a choice of methanol as fuel. The Octopus 12.6 will be available in both longer and shorter versions (Octopus 12.6XL and Octopus 12.6XS) while the Octopus 12 will also be available in a shorter version.

Toepfer Transport is acting as sole and exclusive broker for the two new designs.