Asp-Sunrise

The world’s first chemical tanker to use a combination of duplex stainless steel and stainless clad steel in the construction of its cargo tanks was successfully delivered to Oita-based Hiro Naviera S.A. on 15 November 2014 by Usuki Shipyard Co., Ltd. The application of the duplex steels in the vessel’s cargo tanks was made possible thanks to an expansive joint research program involving steel manufacturers, leading technical universities, and ship designer, as well as ClassNK (Chairman and President: Noboru Ueda) which supported the project as part of its Joint R&D for Industry Program. The 12,500MT chemical tanker Sunrise Hope, owned by Hiro Naviera S.A., will be operated by Nippon Marine Co., Ltd (President: Shinichi Igata). The eco-ship design vessel is equipped with 14 cargo tanks, all which employ duplex stainless steel technology. Construction of the vessel was carried out in accordance with ClassNK’s Guidelines on Welding of Duplex Stainless Steels, which were released in January 2014, marking the first time the Guidelines have been used in the construction of an actual vessel.