RIO 2016 is the first vessel in a series of two shuttle tanker in Brazilian water operation, designed by Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd., two companies with a long and good historic relationship. This vessel was chartered to Petroleo Brasileiro SA.

The ship is built under the survey of DNV and designed in accordance with IACS common structure rule (CSR). The vessel has six pairs of cargo oil tanks, two slop tanks, fore and aft peak tanks, segregated water ballast tanks, fuel oil tanks and fresh water tanks. Cargo tanks are divided by plane type transverse and longitudinal bulkhead. Engine room and living quarters, and the navigation bridge are located aft.

The ship was been designed as IMO DP Class 2 shuttle tanker, and is outfitted with a single slow speed diesel engine, one controllable pitch propeller, two bow and one stern thrusters, one bow and one stern retractable azimuth thruster and a bow loading system suitable for tandem loading operation in the Brazilian  Waters-Campos Basin. It has a flush deck with forecastle deck for arrangement of the bow loading system. And the full spade rudder with flap system has been installed for good maneuverability.

The main engine of MAN 6S70ME-C8.2 Tier II is derated to 15,200 kW of MCR at 82rpm for fuel economy and flexible operation at part load. The speed of the vessel at draft of 16m is 14.8 knots at 90% MCR (13,680 kW) with 15% sea margin.

The cargo pumping system allows a maximum unloading rate of cargo oil 12,000 cu. m./hr. with three cargo oil pumps. The maximum cargo loading rate is 17,000 cu. m./hr. through midship cargo manifold or a cargo loading rate of 9,000 cu. m./hr. through the bow loading station. The vessel is equipped with Bow/Stern tunnel thruster having a power of 2,200 kW and azimuth thruster having a power of 2,500 kW with single speed motor for using dynamic positioning and auxiliary propulsion.

Length, o.a.    278.5m

Length, b.p.    264m

Beam    48m

Depth    23.1m

Draft    17.15m

Deadweight Tonnage    155,710 ton

Displacement    183,367 ton

Gross Tonnage    83,078 ton

Speed    14.8 knots

Cargo oil    167,500 cu. m.

Heavy oil    500 cu. m.

Marine diesel and gas oil    500 cu. m.

Water ballast:     52,600 cu. m.

Flag    Greece

Classification    DNV

Main Engines    MAN B&W / 6S70ME-C8.2

Generators    HHI

Cargo control system    Saab

Fire detection system    Hanla

Fire extinguishing systems    NK

Integrated bridge    Kongsberg

Bridge control system     HHI

Sewage plant    Jonghap Machinery

Bow Loading System    Aker Pusnes AS

DP system    Kongsberg

Diesel switch    Jowa Technology

(As published in the December 2013 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News -www.marinelink.com)