The latest in a series of containership newbuildings on order at Damen Shipyards will be fitted with MacGREGOR high-stowing folding type hatch covers. The six ships (hull Nos 858 863), ordered by German shipowner Reederei K¶pping, will be of the Combi Feeder 800 type from Damen Hoogezand design team. In late 2002, Reederi K¶pping ordered its first two ships of the design, Geeststroom and Geestdijk, from Damen, for which MacGREGOR supplied comprehensive cargo handling packages including hatch covers and re-/movable cellguides.


The six feeder vessels, which will be constructed at Damen Shipyards Galati yard in Romania, will be typical of the 800TEU capacity container class aimed at the shortsea shipping market. One of the most notable features of the design is its flexibility in terms of the range of container sizes and types that it can accommodate. Containers from 20ft to 45ft in length can be stowed in the holds and on deck, and 48ft and 49ft units can be stacked on deck. Standard ISO containers of 2.438m wide, as well as 2.5m pallet-friendly containers, can be stowed anywhere onboard.

Weathertight high-stowing folding hatch covers to be supplied by MacGREGOR are constructed with flat top plates and are closed box construction. The covers are operated by means of external hydraulic cylinders located at the hinge arms at each end of the hatch coaming.

Outfits of four-panel cover sets (two panels forward, two panels aft) for Nos 1, 2 and 3 hatches will provide clear openings of 28.4m x 18.6m. The MacGREGOR-designed covers can accept stack loadings of 40 tonnes/48, 49ft units (one layer); 60 tonnes/20ft units; 70 tonnes/30ft units; 90 tonnes/40ft units; and 95 tonnes/45ft units.

Sealing to ensure weathertightness between hatch cover and coaming is by sliding type rubber packing.

Although Damen Shipyards is well known for its tug and workboat designs, approximately 25 per cent of its annual turnover is accounted for by its cargo shipbuilding division.