BN315 Named "Saffier" and launched

On the 8th of February 2008 at 14.30 an 5850 tons coaster has been launched succesfully. After a short naming ceremony the vessel has been named "Saffier". The ship's  sponsor is Ms. Sabrina Damsma, fiancé of the owner, Mr. Gilbèrt de Bock.

The vessel is built on account of De Bock Maritiem based in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. The “Saffier” wil have Alkmaar as her home-port. "Saffier is equiped for world-wide trading of numerous cargo's as containers, dry-bulk, project cargo's, forrest-products and windmills. Wagenborg Shipping B.V. will act as cargo brokers. De Bock Maritiem will take care of the management and operations.

Main particulars of this coaster:

length over all	:	99,99 m.
Length bpp	:	94,75 m.
Breadth (moulded)	:	15,20 m
Depth	:	8,35 m.
draught	:	6,60 m.
Deadweight	:	5850 ton
Hold capacity	:	263.000 cu.ft
Propulsion	:	2720 kW
max service speed	:	14 knopen

The vessel will be propelled by a MAN Diesel A/S, type 8L27/38 with an output of 2720 kW at 800 rpm. Driving an 3400mm propellor via the reduction gearbox. Main engine is running on HFO 380 cSt., while the auxillaries and boiler are opperating on Gasoil.
 
This new type of ship designed by Barkmeijer has a single and boxed-shaped hold with a length of 66 meter, which is quite unique for this type of ship.
The vessel is built under Class of Bureau Veritas and will get the following notation: I + HULL + MACH general cargo ship Unrestricted navigation + AUT-UMS heavy cargo, strength bottom, MON-SHAFT Heavy Cargo 15T/sq.mtr on tanktop.

Delivery of the "Saffier" is planned for midst of April. The "Saffier" is the second ship built for De Bock Maritiem by Barkmeijer. In June 2003 the "Smaragd" has been delivered. The "Smaragd" was the 18th and last ship out of the succesfull series of 3200 DWT-Coasters.
The next comming years Barkmeijer will deliver a number of dry-cargo vessels of various tonnages built for Dutch owners. Apart thereof Barkmeijer will deliver in 2010 an 2300 m3 maintenance-dredger for a owner based in the United Kingdom.