Rocktree expands transshipment fleet with ‘Apollo’

Rocktree’s OFT vessels provide the standard transshipment services that many service providers offer clients in such markets; it also provides storage, which is not standard. However, according to Pratolongo, Rocktree offers another key differentiating service.

“How we add value is by undertaking our clients’ commodity blending operations at sea, directly on board Rocktree’s vessels, rather than in port,” said Daniele Pratolongo, who established the shipping and logistics provider in 2011. “This simplifies the supply chain process a great deal. For example, if a client operates in a country where ports and infrastructure are inadequate, they can undertake blending and other conventional port operations directly on board one of our vessels, which will save significant time and resources in the coal transshipment process.”

This specific service is the centrepiece of Rocktree’s strategy to offer unconventional solutions to players in the coal industry.

Rocktree has three assets for such operations, Zeus, Mara and Apollo. The Apollo has recently been commissioned, and started operations in July this year. She is designed in order to achieve loading rates over 40,000 metric tonnes/day with latest technologies available for homogeneous blending and automatic mechanical sampling services. Apollo also has a buffer storage of about 3,000 metric tonnes.

Apollo was built according to stringent environmental requirements and has been awarded with the Green Star 3 Design additional Class notation, the first time such a recognition has been granted to this type of floating terminals, highlighting Rocktree’s commitment to the environment.

Designed to withstand higher loading volumes, these vessels enable clients to load greater quantities of cargo on board in a time-effective manner, significantly reducing daily operating costs and time spent at sea.