A special celebration took place recently in Rotterdam to honour the ‘Hermod’, a semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) and part of the fleet of Heerema Marine Contractors, the international offshore hydrocarbon industry player.
Powered by 7 × MAN 16 ASV 25/30 engines, each with a power output of 2,900 kW, Hermod’s engine #3 passed 200,000 operating hours on August 2nd last.
Lex Nijsen, Head of Four-Stroke Marine at MAN Diesel & Turbo, said: “Unit #3 is the first of Hermod’s engines to reach this impressive mark, and has done so without major problems. Indeed, I’m told the engine still has its original crankshaft and has never been out of service for unforeseen reasons. I congratulate Heerema and the Hermod on this truly remarkable achievement that stands as testament to the quality of its crew and MAN engines.”
Hermod was built in Japan in 1978 by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Company Ltd. At 154 × 86 m, it is capable of a tandem lift of 8,100 t and still ranks as the world’s third-largest heavy-lift vessel.
The Rotterdam event took place in the Hermod’s engine-control room and was led by current Chief Engineer, Jan Terpstra, with guests including current and past representatives from both MAN Benelux and the SSCV’s engine-room personnel.
Engine #3 was constructed at MAN’s Augsburg works in Germany and underwent its first trial there in December 1977. Present on that very day almost 40 years ago was a certain Bram Sprokkereef in his capacity as Rollo service manager involved in the newbuilding and commissioning of the engine. In a happy twist of fate, Sprokkereef’s son – current MAN Benelux Sales Manager, Egbert Sprokkereef – was present in Rotterdam with his own sons to witness engine #3 round 200,000 hours.
Photo: The Hermod will retire at the end of the year and is currently being transported on Boskalis’ heavy transport vessel, ‘Dockwise Vanguard’, to China where the vessel will be broken up by the Chinese demolition yard, ‘Zhoushan Changhong International Ship Recycling Company’ in a safe and responsible way and in accordance with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships and also in line with the European Union Ship Recycling Regulation