HERMOD HITS 200,000 OPERATING HOURS

One of the engines powering the semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) ‘Hermod’ has passed 200,000 operating hours.

Hermod, due to retire at the end of the year, is part of Heerema Marine Contractors’ fleet and is powered by 7 × MAN 16 ASV 25/30 engines, each with a power output of 2,900kW. Hermod’s engine 3 passed 200,000 operating hours in August, with the milestone marked by a recent celebration in Rotterdam.

Lex Nijsen, head of Four-Stroke Marine at MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: “Unit #3 is the first of Hermod’s engines to reach this impressive mark, and has done so without major problems. Indeed, I’m told the engine still has its original crankshaft and has never been out of service for unforeseen reasons.”

Mitsui-built

Hermod was built in Japan in 1978 by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Company Ltd. At 154 × 86m, it is capable of a tandem lift of 8,100t and still ranks as the world’s third-largest heavy-lift vessel.

Celebrating the achievement of the SSCV in its engine-control room was current chief engineer, Jan Terpstra, alongside current and past representatives from both MAN Benelux and the SSCV’s engine-room personnel.

Engine 3 was constructed at MAN’s Augsburg works in Germany and underwent its first trial there in December 1977.

Present that day, almost 40 years ago, was Bram Sprokkereef in his capacity as Rollo service manager. Mr Sprokkereef was involved in the building and commissioning of the engine and Sprokkereef’s son – current MAN Benelux sales manager, Egbert Sprokkereef – was present in Rotterdam with his own sons to witness engine #3 round 200,000 hours.

Final journey

Hermod is currently being transported on Boskalis’ heavy transport vessel, ‘Dockwise Vanguard’, to China where the vessel will be broken up by the Chinese demolition yard, ‘Zhoushan Changhong International Ship Recycling Company’.

The breaking down process will be undertaken in accordance with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships and in line with the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation.

Source: maritime journal. 08 Dec 2017

http://www.maritimejournal.com/news101/power-and-propulsion/hermod-hits-200,000-operating-hours