23 May 2012
MOORING THE WORLD'S LARGEST CRUISE SHIPS IS SAFE AND SIMPLE WITH ROPES MADE WITH DYNEEMA®
When the world's two largest cruise liners currently afloat make their brief stops at ports around the Caribbean, mooring ropes made from the world’s strongest fiber hold them firmly in place. Outstanding strength coupled with low weight and great ease of handling are the key reasons why Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) chose ropes with Dyneema® for the Oasis of the Seas and the recently launched Allure of the Seas.
The two identical ships are both 360 meters long, have a beam of 47 meters, contain 16 passenger decks and are capable of carrying around 8000 people, including the crew. Built at the Turku, Finland shipyards by leading shipbuilding group STX Europe, they both have a gross tonnage of 222,900 tonnes. They are some 40% larger than the next biggest cruise ship currently afloat.
Word from the bridge is that the captain of the Oasis of the Seas is more than happy with the new ropes too. For one thing, the time taken to moor is short because two ropes can be sent ashore at the same time to secure the ship. Engines can be turned off sooner, with important fuel savings accruing as a result.
Normal ropes in polypropylene and polyester would have been too bulky for easy handling. Steel ropes would have a similar diameter to ropes with Dyneema®, but they would be much more difficult to handle. In addition to accelerated job completion, ropes made with Dyneema® also make a significant contribution to the safety of personnel by reducing back strain as well as wounds from steel wire “fishhooks” or backlash danger from standard polypropylene or polyester ropes.
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Notes for editors
About DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™. Dyneema® is an Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® fiber floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals.
Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com.
Key Points
- Ropes with Dyneema® are as strong as steel-wire rope of the same diameter, yet less than one-seventh the weight.
- Dyneema® fiber is not affected by salt and does not absorb water.
- Ropes with Dyneema® are about 60% of the diameter and 30% of the weight of an equally strong polyester or nylon rope.
Quote
"They have lasted a whole year with no wear and tear."Chris van Raalten
Ship Manager, RCCL's Oasis-class ships
Quote
“RCCL wanted smaller winches so they could maximize the space available for their passengers.”Jan Willem Visser
Marketing Manager Commercial Shipping at Gleistein Ropes
Related documents
Mooring the world’s largest cruise ship is safe and simple with ropes made with Dyneema®
Editorial enquiries
Nathali Donatz
Dyneema
Anouk Luykx
EMG
Related links
DYNEEMA® ULTRA-STRONG FIBER MAKES LIGHT WORK OF ULTRA-DEEP SEA RECOVERY OPERATION A salvage operation on a ship wreck 3200 meters below the surface of the South Atlantic has been successfully carried out thanks to the use of lightweight ropes made with Dyneema® ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber.
MOORING THE WORLD'S LARGEST CRUISE SHIPS IS SAFE AND SIMPLE WITH ROPES MADE WITH DYNEEMA® When the world’s two largest cruise liners currently afloat make their brief stops at ports around the Caribbean, mooring ropes made from the world’s strongest fiber hold them firmly in place. Outstanding strength coupled with low weight and great ease of handling are the key reasons why Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) chose ropes with Dyneema® for the Oasis of the Seas and the recently launched Allure of the Seas.