SMC News

In a grand celebration, SMC proudly announces the successful delivery of two state-of-the-art 70,000 DWT wood chip carriers – the mv “SDM HUBEI” and mv “SDM BEIHAI”, delivered in March and April 2024 respectively. These two vessels were contracted by the Bank of Communications Financials Leasing Co., Ltd for the construction at the CSSC Chengxi Shipyard in Yangzhou, China.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in SMC’s journey and entry into the wood chip carriers’ sector, with the “SDM HUBEI” and “SDM BEIHAI” representing high end specification and modern design of vessels. Both vessels have been classed by ABS, meeting the stringent requirements of the Liberia flag.

Schulte Marine Concept is excited to announce the launch of the new PAL-NB mobile application, a significant advancement in our suite of ‘Project and site supervision management tools’. Since its inception in 2015, our PAL-NB software has been instrumental in streamlining process management and progress monitoring of new building and conversion projects, earning high praise from both our supervision teams and clients.

PAL-NB Mobile: Revolutionizing Site Supervision

In our continuous pursuit of HSE enhancement, innovation and performance quality and efficiency, we’ve developed the PAL-NB mobile application with the aim of further automating and standardizing the supervision process and enhancing process compliance by site inspectors. The app is designed with several key objectives:

• minimizing manual effort with preparation of Safety and Quality NCRs
• facilitating the creation of Safety and Quality NCRs drafts directly from mobile devices on site
• enabling automatic uploading of inspection photographs to PAL-NB system
• minimizing the use of multiple devices
• reducing screen time.

Who are the beneficiates?

The direct and primary beneficiaries of this technological leap are on-site safety, supervisors, and site managers.

Key Functionalities

PAL-NB mobile functionality	Description
Operating systems	Android, IOS.
Auto syncing of photos	Inspection photographs can be uploaded into PAL-NB software by auto syncing without any wired connections.
Naming of photographs	Options are available on naming photograph or letting system auto name.
Auto sorting of photographs and drafts	Photographs can be auto sorted by the software and placed in respective projects / hulls.
NCR drafts	NCR drafts can be created using a mobile device on site, or onboard or during FAT inspections. Both quality and safety NCRs.
Auto syncing of NCR drafts	NCR drafts created while on site can be synced with PAL-NB software over Wi-Fi or mobile network, at user’s option. Once synced, NCR drafts can be completed and issued to Builder from PAL-NB software.
Auto deletion of photographs	Once uploaded into PAL-NB, photographs and NCR drafts are auto deleted to keep the mobile device free.
Authentication	Password or biometric based at user’s option.

PAL-NB mobile app is developed to be compatible with and works seamlessly with
PAL-NB V4.

We are excited about this new addition to our digital toolbox and look forward to seeing it in action, enhancing our project management capabilities and delivering value to our clients.

SMC is pleased to announce Naming Ceremony of 62,000 DWT heavy-lift multi-purpose vessel, Hull No. CX9601 (mv “Guang Fu – 广福”) at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard (Yangzhou), China. This is the first vessel in a series of 12 x 62,000 DWT MPV ordered by Bank of Communications Financials Leasing Co.,Ltd, China.

The vessel will be classed by DNV and built to Liberia flag requirements.

SMC is pleased to announce Steel Cutting of 62,000 DWT heavy-lift multi-purpose vessel, Hull No. CX9607 at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard (Yangzhou), China. This is the 7th vessel in a series of 12 x 62,000 DWT MPV ordered by Bank of Communications Financials Leasing Co.,Ltd, China.

The vessel will be classed by CCS and built to Liberia flag requirements, scheduled to be delivered on 14th January 2025.

SMC is pleased to announce Launching of 63,500 DWT bulk carriers, Hull No. XY079 at Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd, China. This is the last one vessel in a series of six vessels ordered by Huaxia Financial Leasing Co. Ltd, China.

The vessel has been classed by BV and built to Liberia flag requirements, scheduled to be delivered on 20^th May 2024.

SMC is pleased to announce Launching of 13,200 TEU container vessel, Hull No. SN2626 at Samsung Heavy Industries, Korea. This is the ninth vessel in a series of thirteen vessels ordered by Wan Hai Lines Ltd, Taiwan.

The vessel will be classed by ABS and CR and built to Singapore flag requirements, scheduled to be delivered on 24th June 2024.

SMC is pleased to announce the Delivery of 70,000 DWT wood chip carrier, Hull No. CX0665 (mv “SDM HUBEI”) at CSSC Chengxi Shipyard (Yangzhou), China. This is the first vessel in a series of two vessels ordered by Bank of Communications Financials Leasing Co., Ltd. China.

The vessel was classed by ABS and built to Liberia flag requirements.

SMC is pleased to announce Keel Laying of 63,600 DWT bulk carrier, Hull No. N1092 at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. Zhoushan, China. This is the seventh vessel in a series of eight vessels ordered by Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. Shanghai, China.

The vessel will be classed by BV and built to Liberia flag requirements, scheduled to be delivered on 10th August 2024.

It is a remarkable and rare occurrence when two sister vessels are reunited in the same port after delivery, however for the “P&O Pioneer” and the “P&O Liberté” this will be an everyday occurrence from now on with the “P&O Liberté”, fresh from her maiden voyage, joining the “P&O Pioneer” on the Dover to Calais route for years to come.

The “P&O Pioneer”, having completed numerous successful crossings since entering service in mid-2023, arrived in Dover on March 1st, 2024. Just hours earlier, her counterpart, the “P&O Liberté”, made her grand entrance after an extraordinary forty-five-day voyage circumnavigating the Cape of Good Hope. This extended journey was necessitated due to escalating tensions and hostilities in the Red Sea and Suez regions.

The “P&O Liberté” achieved several notable milestones during her voyage around the cape:

• Longest voyage for a double-ended ship: she covered unprecedented distances, setting a new standard for endurance.
• Largest double-ended vessel in the World: alongside her sister vessel, the “P&O Pioneer”, she now holds this prestigious title.
• First P&O ferry to cross the equator both ways: a testament to her versatility and global reach.
• Largest hybrid propulsion vessel in the Southern Hemisphere: her innovative hybrid propulsion system places her at the forefront of maritime technology.

As the “P&O Pioneer” settles into her established role, the “P&O Liberté” is undergoing the final stages of outfitting, including soft furnishings, before officially joining her sister in service.

Schulte Marine Concept, the proud partner in this maritime achievement, extends heartfelt gratitude to P&O Ferries management for their unwavering confidence and trust. Their commitment allowed us to provide the meticulous dedication these remarkable vessels rightfully deserve. We would like to wish the “P&O Liberté” many years of happy service, and to reiterate Mr. Ross Barrett’s statement “Kudos to an incredible team – the epitome of dedication and talent” with a big thank you to the team.

SMC is pleased to announce Delivery of 63,500 DWT bulk carriers, Hull No. XY078 (mv “HG BARCELONA”) at Nantong Xiangyu Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd, China. This is the fifth vessel in a series of six vessels ordered by Huaxia Financial Leasing Co. Ltd, China.

The vessel has been classed by BV and built to LIBERIA flag requirements.