German shipowner and operator Oldendorff Carriers has decided to convert its bulk carrier Tete Oldendorff to a transloader.
In February 2017, the 88,266 dwt bulker entered Chengxi Shipyard, part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in Jiangyin, China, where the conversion will be carried out.
During the conversion, which is expected to be completed in summer 2017, the 2006-built Tete Oldendorff will be renamed Anna Oldendorff.
Anna Oldendorff will replace E. Oldendorff and will work together with Johanna Oldendorff and two purpose built transloaders, Alfred Oldendorff and Antonie Oldendorff, lightering or unloading Capesize bulk carriers in the Arabian Gulf.
The conversion process involves installing generators, three side mounted Liebherr MPG cranes on deck together with hoppers, conveyor belts and unloading booms. The superstructure will also be increased to accommodate an additional sixteen persons, the company said.
The conversion will add about 2,500 million tons of new steel to the vessel, according to Oldendorff Carriers.
Oldendorff Carriers has also signed a contract with Chengxi Shipyard to install side mounted cranes on the 75,053 dwt bulk carrier Trina Oldendorff.
Between 2006 and 2008, Oldendorff Carriers completed three conversion projects. Harmen Oldendorff was converted from a bulker to a gravity type selfunloader in 2006. In early-2007, bulker Johanna Oldendorff was converted to a transloader. Finally, in 2008, E. Oldendorff was converted from an ore bulk carrier (OBO) to a transloader.