First ship made in Subic passes sea trial

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – M/V Argolikos, the first ship to be built in this freeport, not only passed its recent test for seaworthiness, but also performed “well beyond expectations.”

Pyeong Jon Yu, an executive of South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines, said the $60-million container carrier successfully passed the required sea trial prior to its delivery this month.

In a letter to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Feli­ciano Sa-longa, Yu said the sea trial last May 27-29 was witnessed by representatives of Dioryx Maritime Corp., the Greek shipping firm that ordered the vessel, and Bureau Veritas, a Paris-based conformity assessment, certification and inspection and testing firm.

“It is worthy to note that the required speed as per contract is 24.5 knots, but the ship’s actual speed is 24.6 knots,” Yu said.

“We are pleased to inform you that the owner’s representative on board, and Bureau Veritas remarked that the ship performed well beyond their expectations,” he said.

The M/V Argolikos has a gross weight of 41,000 tons, and has a length of 258.9 meters, width of 32 meters, and height of 19 meters.

Prior to the sea trial, the container ship has been issued an attestation by Bureau Veritas, Yu said.

Hanjin also secured a cargo ship safety equipment certificate, a complete crew list, and a certificate of competency of the Korean crew from the Busan (Korea) Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, Yu added.