Our Fleet

Our objective was clear: Design the best performing and safest lightering machine in the world. First, SPT created a team of designers, naval architects and engineers to totally rethink the design of the lightering machine that provides maximum performance and safety. We then studied historical designs, reviewed current lightering designs, and took our 90 years of experience at sea to enhance our fleet and better serve our customers. The following key elements in performance and safety resulted in this innovative thinking.

Increased Maneuverability

70 degree Schilling Rudder provides a tighter turning radius.

We have incorporated MAN B&W ultra low speed engines capable of dead slow ahead speeds of 2.5 knots. The engine RPM can also be reduced to 20 RPM. We added a bow thruster that has 2,000KW and gives our SPT lightering machines precise position corrections at the most critical stages in the lightering procedure. The 70 degree schilling rudder allows for a much tighter turning radius than that of the typical 35 degree rudder available on standard lightering vessels. These unique features allow us to maneuver alongside the ship to be lightered while she is at anchor or drifting and reduces the amount of sea room needed to bring the vessels together. During berthing and unberthing, the new SPT lightering machines use less tugs, enhancing productivity within the port.

Because being alongside offshore is the riskiest time in the transfer operation, we have designed double wall hoses for extra protection. We can also operate at 80,000 BPH, which means less time alongside to further insure safety. The emergency release coupling can be activated either via cable or manually. The emergency release will also have an integrated valve that will close, blanking off the hose and releasing from the manifold. This happens much faster than the CamLock system commonly used. The increased deballasting capability ensures the vessel is capable of loading at the designed 80,000 BPH without restricting the operation. The pump-room and bunker tanks are securely located within the double hull to further reduce oil spills in a grounding or collision.

Lightering Operation Enhancements

All of our newly designed SPT lightering machines are outfitted with primary and secondary fender davits and fenders. The SPT crane has a boom that is capable of a 32 meter outreach and is certified for personnel transfers. This amazing length services both sides of the vessel, offers tremendous versatility and better drainage of the 90 meter hoses and a more time efficient connect and disconnect. All of the newly designed chocks are closed and outfitted with wires.

Lightering 101

Interested in knowing the process behind lightering?  View our Lightering 101 video by clicking the play arrow below: