While the voting procedure for the 2019 SMART4SEA Awards is open, Mr. Lambros Babilis, CEO at Stealth Maritime Corporation S.A., talks about its ‘Eco Freeze’ vessel which is an LPG Carrier encompassing all latest technologies for which the company has been shortlisted in the ‘Technology’ category alongside other distinguished nominees. The vessel is one of the first LPG vessels with hybrid scrubber and advanced cargo handling system, representing a landmark on the field of LPG sector for the international shipping industry. Mr. Babilis highlights that for enhanced safety it is imperative to combine traditional techniques with modern smart tools; what is more, safety should become a state of mind, he concludes.
SAFETY4SEA: Your organization has been shortlisted for the 2018 SMART4SEA Awards in the ‘Technology’ category alongside a number of other distinguished nominees. What would you like to share with industry’s stakeholders with respect to this development?
Lambros Babilis: The latest addition to our fleet is ECO FREEZE, built in Hyundai Mipo Korea. It is a 2018 built, 22,000 cbm eco type ( ECO(BWT, EEDI_1, GW, IHM, OW, P, SEEMP) semi refrigerated LPG\AMMONIA\VCM carrier. The vessel is able to navigate in arctic climates since it has an Ice class 1B notation along with winterization options.
The operators are able to remotely monitor the vessel through remote performance monitoring and optimization system with hundreds of sensors monitored including a state of the art shaft torque meter. The Cargo System, electronically controlled form the cargo control room, is able to carry four different types of cargos in its four cargo tanks and can also carry commercial propane with high (8%) ethane content while she is voluntarily compliant with many provisions of the new IGC code.
On the engine side Eco Freeze is among the first, if not the first, LPG carriers equipped with a state of the art Hybrid scrubber while she is equipped with Electronic auto tuned main engine.
On the efficiency and environmental side the entire vessel is furnished with LED lights making about 35 % of savings while she is fitted with frequency converters for all main pumps and fans, having also a High quality and latest technology energy saving A/F system. Finally, the vessel is fitted with fixed Soot cleaning devices for boilers and main engine, all gear/screw pumps are of magnetic coupling type, incinerator with high water content bilge injection system, 5ppm oily Bilge Separator, ICCP & MGPS system and one of the first USCG approved BWTS.
S4S: What is the key feedback from your existing & prospective clients on the barriers and drivers towards investing into your technology?
L.B.: Having an advanced, versatile and operationally efficient vessel increases commercial opportunities and enhances employment. On the other hand due to market volatile conditions our prospective customers cannot always take full benefit of vessel’s capabilities and efficiency offering charter rates below the ones that should be expected for such highly advanced vessel.
S4S: Do you have any new projects on the pipeline and/or plans that you would like to share with the rest of the industry?
L.B.: Not at this particular moment. This period is a period of reflection for the next steps to follow.
S4S: If you could change one thing about the shipping industry, what would it be and why?
L.B.: Over regulation, ill prepared regulation and increased bureaucracy that lead to increased unnecessary costs are key areas that shipping industry should find ways to cope with. It is essential shipping industry image to improve in order public opinion to view shipping according to its’ important role in international trade development and prosperity.
S4S: What is your key message to the industry for enhancing safety onboard and ashore in the smart era?
L.B.: The right mix of well proven traditional techniques and modern smart tools is essential for increased safety. Vigilance is a prerequisite in our continuous effort towards safer operations. Safety is or should become a state of mind.
You may cast your vote for at Stealth Maritime Corporation S.A. at 2019 SMART4SEA Awards dedicated webpage till 21st of December 2018!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
