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All
our
wishes
came
true
Just like when he started on the building schemes for the mts
Galapagos, Stevens found his way to RensenDriessen’s office
in Zwijndrecht. During his conversation with Wim Driessen,
Stevens elaborated on his wishes for the ship he envisioned.
Even though it’s easy to outfit such a large ship with many
extra features, unnecessary luxury has no place in Stevens’
philosophy. He did have one singular priority, though, for
himself, his crew, and his client Unibarge. Stevens wanted a ship
that was safe for the environment, as well as safe on board.
For that crucial aspect, as well as all the other matters
considering the essential reliability of the ship, Ubbo Rommerts
of Rommerts Ship Design was given free rein to develop his
ideas. During only the second conversation, the first 3D images
of a high-quality tanker with dimensions of 135.00x17.50x6.10m
were projected. The well thought-out design was that of
a midship, and should be thought of as a characteristic
construction vital to this kind of large ship. One of the ship’s
eye-catching features is Rommert’s Tank Star software,
installed in order to ensure the most safe and economical way
of working on board. Tank Star is a program that fully conforms
to the rules of classification societies. It’s been approved to
make on-board longitudinal strength and stability calculations.
“We’ve worked on it for two years,” Driessen says. “The mts
Elisa S is the first ship we installed it on.”
“When I look back on it, construction has been incredibly
quick,” Stevens says. The hull construction in Romania took
only five and a half months, after which the hull was delivered
to The Netherlands during the winter. The completion process
was a quick one as well, taking only three and a half months.
Stevens: “Our trust in RensenDriessen was strengthened
thanks to this quick delivery.”
The first glowing reviews came in during Stevens’ first trial
sail of the ship. “She simply glides through the water,” he said.
Two tough ABC-diesel engines boasting 1500 horse power in
combination with the bow thrusters and rudders readily tackle
any ruthless challenge the classification societies tend to set.
The calculations Stevens received before RensenDriessen and
Rommerts began construction completely match his practical
experience with the ship in the last six months, no exceptions.
“We haven’t been let down once,” is what we’re hearing. On top
of that, Stevens is happily surprised with the ship’s sailing traits
and manoeuvrability. “It sails just as well as a 110m ship, which
pleases me immensely,” he says. “When you board a 135m ship
when you’re only used to a 110m ship, a whole new world opens
up to you.”
Business-wise, how does Stevens look back on the second half
of 2015? He’s hoping to build on all the good things that came
to be during this period. Thankfully, we’ve also had some good
fortune during this period. The international trade even broke
out of its downward spiral, breathing new life into the market,
something we didn’t dare dream would happen. Every little bit
helps and part of that is the low-water period working in our
favor.
Stevens is happy with the mts Elisa and confesses he’s never
had this much affinity for a ship. “All our wishes came true,”
the successful entrepreneur beams. Just as the previous
generations of the Stevens family, Ivo Stevens remains the
picture of humility. As always, both his feet are planted firmly
on the ground.
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