Skaugen PetroTrans Ltd. took delivery of their first purpose-designed and dedicated lightering tanker, SPT Champion, on May 18, 2007, from the Tsuneishi Shipyard in Japan. The vessel incorporates enhanced maneuvering features with increased loading and deballasting capabilities as compared to standard Aframax vessels. Key features of the vessels include the following:· Bow thruster· High lift rudder· Ultra slow speed electronic main engine· Fender davits for both primary and secondary fenders.· Hose handling crane rated for personnel transfers· 80,000 bbl per hour loading rateThe vessel will further enhance the overall safety of STS operations.
SPT, the largest lightering company in the world, provides ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil, primarily in the waters of the US coasts. The company handles around one million barrels of oil daily, equating to roughly 10 per cent of US seaboard oil imports. The delivery of the six new Aframax tankers will considerably improve the company’s ability to develop increased business without the need to hire-in additional vessels.SPT is a joint venture between I.M. Skaugen ASA and TeeKay Shipping Corporation, and retains a strong customer base due to its industry-leading standards of customer service, particularly with regard to safety and dependability.