A Chinese state-owned shipyard has ordered MacGregor variable frequency drive cranes and folding-type hatch covers for Greek bulk shipping operator Ariston Navigation’s six new generation 35,000 dwt bulkers.  The contract is booked into Cargotec’s second quarter order intake. Deliveries are scheduled for 2013 and 2014.

Ariston Navigation Corporation, part of the family-owned Xylas Group, has ordered a series of 35,000 dwt handysize Seastallion vessels from the shipyard. New ships have been designed with a versatile specification and are planned for worldwide trade. Each will feature folding-type MacGregor hatch covers and four fully electrically-operated variable frequency drive (VFD) MacGregor wire-luffing bulk-handling deck cranes, each with an SWL of 30.5 tonnes at a maximum outreach of 26m.

Ariston Navigation believes that the early involvement of key suppliers is important for delivering vessels fully optimised for their designed functions. “We involved Cargotec as well as all suppliers of critical equipment at the very early stages of our project,” said John Xylas, CEO of Ariston Navigation.

The company also sees significant advantages in sourcing major items from a single supplier. “Absolutely: the lower the number of makers, the more efficient the communication in the project,” John Xylas continued.