Ice breaking tug "Armanborg" (2009)

Conversion of icebreaker / supplier “ARMANBORG” (ex “ARPPE”) for shipowner Wagenborg completed in 2009.

M.v. “Arppe” (original dim. 30 x 12 m) was built in 1989 as icebreaker for Finnish inland waterways. The vessel was purchased by Delfzijl-based shipowner Wagenborg in April 2008. In close cooperation with the yard and co-makers, an extensive engineering process was executed. By the end of 2008 the conversion works started with cutting the vessel in two parts, inserting a new section of 15 m, containing several tanks for ballastwater, freshwater, grey- and blackwater and fuel.

A new cargodeck was constructed and fitted, and covered with wood.

A new cargorail and bulwark were constructed and fitted around the cargodeck.

The towing-winch was removed and replaced by a new winch and relocated.

The existing diesel generator sets of the diesel electric propulsion equipment (3.400 kW) were removed from the engineroom and new sets were installed.

Extensive renewals to piping systems and electrical equipment, incl. new switchboards were executed.

The existing panelling of the accommodation was removed and completely renewed by yard’s  carpentry shop, together with state of the art new HVAC-equipment in relation to the new trading area of the vessel in de Caspian sea with temperatures varying between -40 °C and +40 °C.

The wheelhouse desk was completely renewed.

The vessel was classed by Bureau Veritas for unrestricted sea-going trade and among others, this required the forecastle deck to be raised and covered.

Owners supplied new harbour generator and new deck crane were installed.

Together with her co-makers:

-          WWW for re-engining and pipingsystems,

-          Eekels for electrical work,

-          Gebr. de Haan for HVAC,

-          Bendit for insulation,

-          Joosten & Co. for cleaning and coating

and many others, the yard completed the conversion by the beginning of October, 2009, followed by sea-trials and bollard pull.

The vessel left the yard on October 10th 2009 with a barge on tow, on her way to her new employment in Kazachstan.

Sea-going-tug “Singapore” (2009)
Special survey and the installing of new nozzles (inner diameter 4.5 m, weight 20 tons) and new propeller blades.

Mps “Helgoland”(2008)                                                 
Conversion in connection with a new trade area, which consisted of the installing of a sprinkler installation in the passenger area and the accompanying carpentry.

Sea-going-tug “Waker”(2008)
Special survey of sea-going-tug ”Guardian” in service of the Dutch government as a coastal monitoring vessel.

Conversion of “Harrier Explorer” (2007)
Royal Niestern Sander BV in Delfzijl has completed its largest conversion order ever. It concerns the supply ship ”Harrier Explorer” (formerly ms ”Sentinel”) of the Dubai-based ship owner GeoBird, which the yard has transformed into a seismic research vessel.

The ship (dimensions 81.26 x 18.34 m) came to Delfzijl early December 2006 and was docked after which the underwater maintenance started. In subsequent weeks, the conversion plans of the owner where further developed in close consultation with a Norwegian engineering company, the shipyard and its co-makers. The project included the following activities:

• Complete stripping of the existing accommodation, including the bridge, and re-isolating and wainscoting/boarding of the accommodation;
• The supply and installation of new kitchen equipment;
• The supply and installation of marine equipment on the bridge;
• During the stripping of the existing panelling asbestos was found which was removed, in consultation with the authorities, by a specialized company;
• On both PS and SB of the existing accommodation 2 new sections were placed/inserted in which a technical area, a fitness and recreation room as well as a conference room are stationed;
•  Behind the existing accommodation a new 3-layer accommodation block was placed with 14 cabins and a large technical area;
• At the stern, the yard has placed a new hangar (length 40 m, width 20 m, height abt. 10 m), on which the helicopter deck was installed. Large winches were placed in the hangar for seismic equipment that can be launched through a NSR constructed slipway on the aft ship;
•  Below deck, in the compressor room of the ship, 3 diesel driven air compressors were placed, each weighing about 30 tonnes;
• The main switchboards were renewed, as well as a generator set, various pumps, coolers, AC equipment, fresh water maker, and the piping system;
• In addition, the Royal Niestern Sander also performed maintenance to the main engines, auxiliary engines and other components.

Together with its co-makers, the yard has completed the largest repair project in its 100-year anniversary. For the company it was a contract of more than 10 million Euros. The ship was delivered to her owner in September 2007, and her new life as a seismic research ship began.