MV Tønsberg explained

MV Tønsberg is a roll-on/roll-off ship owned by Wilh. Wilhelmsen. When built, it was the largest RORO ship in the world.^[1]

Specification

• Dimensions: MV Tønsberg is 265m (869feet) length overall and 32.26m (105.84feet) wide, and has 11m (36feet) draught and 46m (151feet) of air draught. Gross tonnage is 76,500 gt. Capacity, at 5,990 cars, is 5% – 7% higher than Mark IV roro ships.
• Decks: Six fixed decks and three hoistable ones (4B, 6 and 8, lifted by electric winches). The main deck can take loads 7.1 m high – more than other vessels – allowing very large loads. The total deck space is 50,335 m² and cargo volume is 138,000 m³. Internal ramps are 8 metres wide; The weather deck (which can be used for outsize or unusual loads, such as wind turbine blades) also has a 4m wide ramp from below, to reduce the need for cranes.^[2]
• Stern ramp: The stern ramp is 12m (39feet) wide and can take loads of 505 tonnes.
• Design: Hull form has been improved, so compared to previous ships it will use 15 – 20% less fuel per unit of cargo.^[3] Stability has been improved, to reduce the need for ballast water. There is a double bottom and Deck 5 is also watertight.
• Propulsion: 7-cylinder MAN B&W engine, which has been derated from 22,890 kW^[4] to 20,100 kW MCR at 108rpm; (although normal output in service is 18,090 kW), driving a 7.3m (24feet) diameter 6-bladed propeller; plus two 2,500 kW Kawasaki thrusters (one each at the bow and the stern). Service speed is 20.25 knots.^[5]

History

MV Tønsberg is the fourth Wilhelmsen ship to carry this name; it's named after the Norwegian coastal town where Wilhelmsen was founded in 1861.^[6] It was built to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Wilh. Wilhelmsen line. It is the first in a series of four "Mark V" ships, built in 2010-2011 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki, in Japan. The second ship of the class, Parsifal, was delivered in September 2011.^[7]

In June 2012, Tønsberg was awarded "Ship of the Year 2011" by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers, recognising its efficiency and environmental compatibility.^[8]

External links

• Photos of MV Tønsberg

Notes and References

1. News: Wilhelmsen launches largest ro-ro ship. https://archive.today/20130127230621/http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=15772. dead. 27 January 2013. 1 July 2012. Logistics Manager.
2. News: Wilh. Wilhelmsen launches next generation ro-ro ship. 1 July 2012. Heavy Lift & project Forwarding International. dead. https://archive.today/20130125072152/http://www.heavyliftpfi.com/content/newsitem.aspx?id=2679. 25 January 2013.
3. Web site: Wilh. Wilhelmsen launches next generation cargo vessel. Wilhelmsen press release. 1 July 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120507144411/http://www.wilhelmsen.com/about/press/newsandpress/Pages/WilhWilhelmsenlaunchesnextgenerationcargovessel.aspx. 7 May 2012.
4. Web site: MAN B&W L70ME-C8-TII Project Guide. MAN. 31 July 2012.
5. News: Wilhelmsen new ro-ro is biggest ever. 1 July 2012. The Motorship. 28 May 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120702210558/http://www.motorship.com/features101/ships-and-shipyards/wilhelmsen-new-ro-ro-is-biggest-ever. 2 July 2012.
6. News: Utsatt dåp for verdens største RoRo skip. 1 July 2012. skips-revyen. 17 March 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120624025310/http://www.skipsrevyen.no/nyheter/135817.html. 24 June 2012.
7. News: Parsifal hits new notes for heavy lift. https://archive.today/20130125015144/http://www.heavyliftpfi.com/content/newsitem.aspx?id=3322. dead. 25 January 2013. 1 July 2012. Heavy Lift & project Forwarding International.
8. Web site: TØNSBERG, MHI's Massive RO/RO Vessel, Awarded "Ship of the Year 2011": High Transport Efficiency and Environmental Compatibility Recognized. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 1 July 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120617063435/http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/story/1206121546.html. 17 June 2012.