Lengthening
MSC CARLA was built in 1972 in Lanskrona, Sweden. She was originally 275.22m LOA. In 1984 she was lengthened by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to 289.48m, an addition of 14.27m. This was accomplished by splitting the hull between frames 146 and 147, in Cargo Hold 5 – the first hold forward of the house – and inserting a section 15.06m that included 22 frames and one transverse bulkhead. (The bulwark at the bow was shortened, resulting in the net change of 14.27m.) The additional midbody created a new 40’ container hold below deck.
In order to enhance the longitudinal strength of the lengthened vessel, straps of plating were added on the main deck in way of the box girders at either side. These straps were 650mm wide by 45mm thick and welded with 21mm filet welds. There were three straps on each side, extending from frame 114 to 219 outboard, frame 118 to 171 in the middle, and frame 122 to 160 inboard.