Rickmers-Linie to add yet another heavylift multipurpose vessel to its fleet

Rickmers-Linie to add yet another heavylift multipurpose vessel to its fleet    Rickmers-Linie has taken the decision to charter in to its fleet the 19,100dwt Pacific Winter, which is a sister ship of Baltic Winter, originally chartered in by Rickmers in December 2011. Rickmers will also extend the existing charter on Baltic Winter.   With her 800 tonne lift capacity, the 2011-built Baltic Winter has proven to be a highly successful addition to the Rickmers-Linie fleet and both she and her 2012-built sister will now be given Rickmers names. They will also feature the Rickmers-Linie logo on their hulls and Rickmers funnel colours. Pacific Winter will become Rickmers Chennai while Baltic Winter will be renamed Rickmers Dubai.   Compared to the 30,000dwt vessels used on the Round-The-World Pearl String Service, these two ships are smaller, giving them considerable flexibility because they can call at ports where depth of water, turning circles and berth lengths may be more restricted. Furthermore they have the greatest lift capability of any ship in the Rickmers fleet. Two 400 tonne cranes that can be twinned to lift 800 tonnes are complemented by a 120 tonne crane further forward.   These features will be invaluable on the Europe to Middle East/India Service, says Ulrich Ulrichs, Rickmers-Linie’s Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director:   “With heavy out-of-gauge cargo, you need to get the cargo as close as possible to the ultimate destination as overland transportation is expensive and complicated. These vessels enable us to offer an increased choice in ports to our customers.”   Rickmers Chennai will begin her maiden voyage for Rickmers in Singapore in mid-April when she commences a voyage to Europe via India and the Middle East. Rickmers-Linie states that calls at any port en route can be considered.