D/S Norden - Denmark
http://www.ds-norden.com/

Hi Robert

A nice shot - coincidentally only today was reading an article on bit of the vessels background:

Copenhagen-listed Norden took the decision four years ago to convert one of its panamax vessels, the 2002 built, 77,229 dwt Nordkap , to allow it to run into the St Lawrence River in winter as part of a charter with a North American aluminium manufacturer.

The Nordkap was re-built with an ice- strengthened skirt around a particular draft range in which it would be expected to operate at in frozen waters. The hull was rebuilt with different ice class notations around the hull, ranging from 1A to 1C depending on the amount of ice impact expected on the bow, stern or midships.

In addition to a skirt of strengthened steel around the water line area there are all sorts of auxiliary systems that have to be protected from the cold, for example the heating of the lifeboat engines, the ballast water systems that might need antifreeze measures and improved heating for the accommodation. The additional heating will need more auxiliary power provision to drive it. The panamax vessel has a large B&W engines of about 10MW each, considered suitable for providing the additional power for the propulsion needed in ice.

The Nordkap has a new propeller fitted specifically for the trade to ensure it can withstand the freshwater ice pressures, as well as having a unique ice knife built off the stern. This is a protrusion that goes into the water and takes the load of the ice as the ship goes astern, deflecting it away from the rudder stock. In the St Lawrence River the vessels will have to navigate around a pier astern, without assistance, so the aft of the ship will have to be specially reinforced, especially the rudder and the propeller as the ice tugs will not be able to assist in these operations.

Excerpts taken from Lloyds List

Cheers

Brent