Lloyds List: Shell adds two product carriers: “Shell International Trading and Shipping Co now has 23 crude and product tankers and 24 liquefied natural gas carriers in its managed fleet, one of the largest in the industry.”: Friday October 21, 2005

ROYAL Dutch Shell has added two more product tankers to its managed fleet so the world's third largest oil company can expand its products trading business, writes Martyn Wingrove .

Shell International Trading and Shipping Co now has 23 crude and product tankers and 24 liquefied natural gas carriers in its managed fleet, one of the largest in the industry.

Shell took delivery of the Achatina, a 12,000 dwt products and chemicals carrier, on September 27 after its was built at Samho shipyard in South Korea.

The ship is owned by Viken CPP of Norway, flagged in the Isle of Man and classed by Lloyd's Register.

Shell also took delivery of the 2004-built, 12,000 dwt product carrier Arianta on a long-term charter with Pritchard Gordon.

The double-hulled vessel is also flagged in the Isle of Man and classed by Lloyd's Register.

It has a shallower draught than most product tankers, making it suitable for trading in draft restricted locations such as the Caribbean.

Stasco has already taken three other vessels into its managed fleet this year, including the Acavusand the larger, 115,000 dwt Tanea and Torinia.

A third ship of the newbuild series will join the fleet early next year, said Shell.

'Both Acavus and Achatina will soon be fitted with a nitrogen generating plant capable of producing inert gas at 125% of the ship's maximum cargo discharge rate,' said Erick Weston, Stasco's fleet manager.

'This feature will significantly enhance safety on the vessels and provide product quality benefits.'

Shell has yet to decide which shipyard will be used for these modifications but expects the ships to be out of service for two weeks for the installation work.

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