508 July 2008

Landing Craft from Sarawak

The SK Line 11 outfitting at the Kian Juan Dockyard Sdn. Bhd in Miri, May 2008.
Photo by Alan Haig-Brown courtesy of Cummins Marine

Landing craft have evolved a long way from the ubiquitous boats that brought US Marines ashore on South Pacific islands in the closing days of World War II. These handy boats have grown dramatically in size and power over the years but they maintain the shallow draft and forward ramp that allows them to load or off-load in shallow ports with little or no pier infrastructure.

The shipyards of Miri and Sibu in East Malaysia have developed the landing craft to a sophisticated cargo carrier for both liquids and deck cargos. A recent example, designed by United Ship Design of Sibu, is the SK Line 11 from the Kian Juan Dockyard Sdn. Bhd of Miri, Sarawak. In spite of a length over all of 45.5 meters (149.28 feet) and a 10.9-meter (35.76 feet) the vessel has a draft of only 2.4-meters (7.87 feet). These dimension give the landing craft at huge open deck forward. Under the deck a number of tanks provide for fuel oil in 42-tonne operating tanks and 256-tonne long range or cargo tanks. Additional tankage provides for 98 tonnes of ship’s water and 364 tonnes of cargo water.

The boat is powered by a pair of 640 hp Cummins KTA19-M3 engines turning into Reintjes WAF364L gears with 4.481:1 gears to give the boat an eleven-knot design speed. Additional engines include a pair of Cummins 6BTA-powered 80 kW generator sets and a bow thruster engine. A three-level deckhouse set well aft includes two accommodation decks with bunks for up to 20 crewmembers. On the navigation bridge deck a davit is fitted to launch a rescue craft mounted there.

The SK Line 11 is one of several being built at Kian Juan Dockyard for a Malaysian customer and it will be registered in Kuching Malayasia. Recently a similar vessel was delivered from another Miri yard for a UK customer who will use it in the Falkland Islands. It seems likely that other owners around the world will find these vessels an attractive option for areas with limited dockage and infrastructure.

Click here to download specifications (pdf).

For further information:

Lim Chee Hock
Chairman
Kian Juan Dockyard Sdn. Bhd.
Lot 2042, Kuala Baram
Industrial Estate, PO Box 152
98007 Miri, Sarawak, East Malaysia
Phone: 085 605678, 605499
Fax: 085 605455
E-mail: kianjuan@tm.net.my
Web: www.kianjuan.com.my

United Ship Design
No 4, First Floor, Lorong Chengal ,
96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
Phone: +6084 325825
Fax: +6084 333825
E-mail: usdesign@usdesign.com.my

Chong Meu That
Territory Sales Manager
Scott & English (Malaysia)
Lot 1450 & 1451, Block 3, M.C.L.D.,
Piasau Industrial Estate,
P.O. Box 1290, 98008
Miri, Sarawak
East Malaysia
Phone: +6085 654984
E-mail: chong_mt@sne.com.my

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