Damen Green Solutions introduces new Modular Approach for retrofitting scrubbers

Friday, 2nd June 2017

Cuts time spent in dock from weeks to days

Damen Green Solutions (DGS) in partnership with Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) and AEC, the scrubber supplier, is trialling a new technique for retrofitting scrubbers. Designated the Modular Approach, this new process is designed to cut the time that a vessel typically needs to spend in dock from two or more weeks to just a few days. This dramatic reduction in downtime, in combination with a more cost-efficient, certified scrubber, will be welcomed by ship owners and operators. The first installation of this type is already underway for the RoRo cargo vessel Stena Scotia.

The key to achieving this sharp fall in downtime for the vessel is maximising the amount of preparatory and manufacturing work that can be completed before the vessel arrives in the dock. This happens in two parallel processes. In one of these, the scrubbers and their supporting systems are fitted into two prefabricated modules while still in the workshop. The first module contains the scrubber plus all the necessary piping and electronics. The second houses all the auxiliary equipment including the pumps, heat exchanger and separators. These can then be tested and optimised in advance of the actual installation.

At the same time, preparatory works are undertaken on board the vessel at times agreed with the ship that do not interfere with its scheduled operations. In the case of the Stena Scotia, the preparations on board, including steelwork and pipe-fitting, will take place over a number of weekends during routine overnight stopovers.

The result of the prefabrication process plus preparation works means that when the ship does finally arrive at a Damen yard, the technical team can focus on the final stage of the retrofit process; attaching and linking up the two, fully operational modules to a ship that is ready and prepared to receive them. This last stage represents the third module of the operation.

Damen Green Solutions, the arm of the Damen Shipyards Group responsible for developing and implementing low-emissions and environmentally-friendly solutions, has oversight of the entire process including commissioning and training. It does this in close coordination with Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) and, in the case of Stena Scotia, Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam.

“With the need to access the vessel during its regular operations to undertake the preparations, it is vital to work very closely with the owner and crew to make the hours available as productive as possible,” says project manager Stef Loffeld. “Fortunately, DSC’s Harbour & Voyage teams are expert at working efficiently and unobtrusively when a ship is still in an operational mode. We also cooperate closely in the engineering phase with AEC, the suppliers of the scrubbing systems, to optimise the installation of the various components for maximum efficiency and operability. The result is a fast and effective installation with minimum downtime.”

Marcel Karsijns, Director of Damen Green Solutions, commented: “The combination of AEC’s simple yet effective scrubbers and Damen’s innovative installation approach significantly reduces up-front costs and reduces the payback period of the investment. We expect this solution to receive strong support in the market.”

Jurriën de Vries, sales director of AEC Maritime, concluded; “The close co-operation between Damen and AEC has resulted in this new modular approach for retrofitting SOx scrubbers. This is yet another example of the AEC philosophy; ‘SOx scrubbing made simple’.”

Damen Green Solutions are at Nor-Shipping until June 2nd. At their stand, U-05, they are exhibiting Damen’s award-winning port-based ballast water treatment system, InvaSave 300.

Ravestein Brings Skylift 3000 to Seawork, Southampton

Thursday, 1st June 2017

To promote their latest product, Ravestein decided to bring their widely discussed Skylift to Seawork, to demonstrate to the world how it works. A lot of times we are on an exhibition with our scale model and photo’s, people still don’t believe the barge is actually submersible without the use of cranes, and/or ballast systems, owner Cees Ravestein explained.

After 15 years with a stand they decided to go bigger this year with their 60x28x4,5m submersible platform with a payload of 3000 tons.

Every day from 14.00h the platform will be lowered down to show how easy it submerges. There will be also a possibility to come on board the Skylift for a drink and chat. Employees of Ravestein will be on board to answer all questions you may have.

Inside the marquees, the stand will be still there if you want to have a more extensive chat, or want to view all other heavy maritime steel structures Ravestein can build, like Caissons, Lock Gates, RoRo Linkspans and Backhoe dredgers.
For the last 40 years, Ravestein has been the market leader when it comes to heavy maritime steel structures. This event, to see the Skylift in action, you can not miss out. Ravestein happily invites everyone to their stand PG 2 or onto the Skylift outside.

Seawork will take place from the 13th until the 15th of June at the Mayflower park, Southampton, UK. Tickets via www.seawork.com.

For any questions/queries please visit www.ravestein.nl of send an email to sec@ravestein.nl

Ravestein is looking forward to see you at Seawork!

Arklow Marine Services, North Quay, Arklow have recently delivered

Thursday, 1st June 2017

Arklow Marine Services, North Quay, Arklow have recently delivered the new impressive 27m "Spirit of Rathlin" which has been designed to replace the existing "Canna" and is to operate between Ballycastle & Rathlin Island off the Co Antrim Coast. This competitive tender which was won against strong international competition is designated Yard 62, and is a fine quality build capable of carrying 140 passengers, 6 cars, an articulated truck or a combination of same. The DRD in Belfast who contracted the vessel are to award a 10 year operational licence and the Canna will be withdrawn from service. Rathlin Island will now be serviced by this new vessel in conjunction with the existing "Rathlin Express" which is a 18m High Speed Aluminium Catamaran Passenger vessel capable of carrying 96 passengers, also built by Arklow Marine Services in 2009.

Argyll Maritime Design Services, Duror, in Scotland designed the vessel and oversaw the complete design package including preparing all construction drawings for submission to Lloyds, MCA & Consultants BCTQ in Southampton. Designed as a bow loading ferry with a vehicle deck forward, enclosed passenger lounge aft and open passenger decks over. An articulated bow ramp provides access for passengers & vehicles. Built to Lloyds Classification Society Rules & Regulations the vessel’s notation Lloyds✠100A1 SSC Passenger Mono, G2A,✠LMC, UMS is of steel construction throughout. Vessel designed and built to meet the regulations for an EU Class C passenger/vehicle ferry engaged on domestic voyages and also assigned a UK under 24 m. workboat code certificate. The vessel design is of double chined construction with a flat bottom and heavy grounding bars forward to facilitate grounding on the slip when loading & discharging.
Extensive model tests were carried out at Wolfson Unit at Southampton University to determine the correct powering required to achieve a trial speed of 9.5 knots with a design deadweight of 54 tonnes. The vessel is powered by twin Scania Main Engines D113 071M each developing 331 KW (450 BHP) at 1800 rpm. Each engine is coupled to a Twin Disc MGX 5114SC-HD free standing gearbox with a 2.54:1 reduction ratio. Both main engines & gearboxes are keel cooled. An EC 300 Electronic control system is mounted on the bridge.

The sterngear is of water lubricated type and the propellers are both 4 bladed AB2 material each with a diameter of 940 mm.

A spacious and large engine room was required to accommodate all the plant & equipment necessary for the vessels operation. A well thought out & planned layout resulted in the best use of the space with good access for routine maintenance at a later stage. Auxiliary power is supplied by 2 x 28 Kw Beta Marine auxiliary engines all generated to give 230 volt, 50 Hz, 1 phase and 24V DC and UPS to be provided for navigational and safety services. Both auxiliary engines situated in the engine room are keel cooled and fitted with acoustic hoods. The emergency 28 Kw generator set is mounted adjacent to the Rescue Boat on the upper deck within its own acoustic cover.

The main hydraulic equipment on-board the vessel consisted of a T600 120 BHP bow thruster giving a thrust of 900 kgs., 2 nr M3 anchor windlasses, 2 nr 2 Tonne capstans, 2 x 24 Tonne rams, 2 x 18 tonne rams & 2 nr locking rams. All the hydraulic equipment were driven off the forward end of both main engines through Centa 24V clutch units and all piping above main deck was in stainless steel.

A monitoring system was fitted on board to record the contents in 4 tanks, the bilges in 9 areas & the draughts at 4 locations. An Ecomax 8AC sewage treatment vacuum system was also fitted on board to service the WC’s & wash room waste water on board.

A large wheelhouse with extensive all round vision extends from vessel side to side with 2 wing positions. A centre u-shaped console position has been designed & fabricated to encompass the large & diverse array of navigation & electronic equipment required for the vessels operation. The large centre window allows the vessels operator a clear view of the working deck below & bow ramp operation. All machinery was fully controlled from the wheelhouse to comply with Lloyds UMS (unmanned machinery spaces).

Passenger accommodation in an enclosed aft deck saloon which has been fitted out to a high standard and can accommodate 42 passengers. Further seating for 100 passengers has been arranged in open spaces on decks Nr 1 & 2. Situated also in the main deck saloon are WC’s for both male, female & a wheelchair accessible toilet. A Pursers office is situated inside the starboard door with a half hinged door.

Mess room facilities are sited aft of the wheelhouse on deck level 2 and consist of table, seating & mess facilities including a microwave. A repeater monitor for the various cameras arranged throughout the vessel are also mounted within the mess room.

iXblue Shipyard, welcome to a new era of expertise, where technology meets marine reality.

Thursday, 1st June 2017

For thirty years, iXblue has pioneered inertial navigation, subsea acoustics, geophysics and shipbuilding. iXblue technology is at work everywhere, from the ocean depths – 11,000 meters under the sea – to outer space – some 1.5 million kilometers above the Earth.

It is also at work in the shipbuilding industry. Over the years our shipyard has produced a number of reliable and affordable boats, currently in service around the world. The range now covers pilot boats, workboats, as well as survey vessels of various sizes. And to complete the family, we are proud to announce the launching of our new program of daughter boats for wind farms, a growing and demanding new market which we are tackling as yet a new opportunity for innovation.

iXblue’s shipbuilding success relies on the choice of composite construction methods, its leading position in vacuum infusion and the molding process used. In turn our customers benefit from the short construction cycle and the reduced maintenance requirement throughout the life of a composite vessel. As a matter of fact, GRP does not corrode nor rust, thus generating fewer running costs.
It also relies on iXblue’s corporate vision: making technology accessible and adapting it to individual customer needs. We might be pushing the limit of technology, but we also have a deep knowledge of marine reality. With our customers, we ask, we assess, we pour in our technological breakthrough if relevant and we deliver. We provide our client the ship they ask for, with the possibility to fit it with the epitome of equipment developed in-house in the fields of energy and offshore constructions, geosciences, fishing and commercial shipping. (see all our product range on www.ixblue.com)

iXblue is currently achieving annual growth of 15-20%, with 80% of its business conducted in over 35 countries worldwide and a portfolio in excess of 1,000 customers. The group can count on full value-chain expertise: all of its systems are developed internally, from design to manufacturing. Among our 650 employees around the world, we count a number of sailors who put their experience on the line when it comes to developing new product ranges.

From workboats to positioning systems, we will be happy to introduce you to a new era of expertise, where technology meets marine reality, from the shore to the high seas.

HES Uses Straightpoint Load Shackle to Complete Monorail Crane Installation

Thursday, 1st June 2017

Melbourne, Australian based company Hoisting Equipment Specialist (Vic) Pty Ltd (HES) recently installed two monorail crane systems at an electrical substation before utilising a 3.25t capacity wireless load shackle from Straightpoint to complete commission and handover to the end user.

HES accepted a scope of work from Trio Construct also based in Melbourne, to design, fabricate, install and certify two identical monorail crane systems, each with a rated capacity of 1000kg, measuring 1750mm in length. The pair of cranes, installation of which was completed over a two-day period, are used to lift switchboard equipment into place.

Upon installation, HES employed a Wireless Loadshackle and Handheld Plus from its own stock to record data and document for the operation and maintenance manual that is supplied standard with every crane system.

Nathan Heatley who managed the project for HES said: "We utilised a proprietary surface-mounted test rail that was rigged up using synthetic slings to achieve our rated capacity for the proof load test. The load shackle provided the perfect solution to this limited headroom application."

These purpose-built cranes are manufactured according to Australian Standard AS 2550.3 – 2005. The hoists, meanwhile, are the industry leading OZ Blok brand for which HES is the principal. The OZ Blok hoists where specified by Trio Construct. The OZ Blok S Series for this project is the close-coupled chain block and geared trolley combination. The hoist and trolley systems are certified in accordance with AS 1418.2-1997.

Dean Nelson, Managing Director of HES, said: "By slowly bringing all relevant processes, like load testing and commissioning, in-house we are not only able to offer customers a more competitive price, but we gain greater control over the quality of service and workmanship. Combining HES and Straightpoint equipment, for example, will become more commonplace accordingly."

Every Straightpoint Wireless Loadshackle is proof tested and equipped with a hard anodised aluminium electronics enclosure, within which is a new internal chassis, providing IP67 / NEMA6 environmental protection even with the battery cover plate missing. Boasting a range of 700m / 2,300 ft., the load shackles are supplied with an update rate of 3Hz and can be easily configured to run at what Straightpoint believes is industry-leading speeds of up to 200Hz.

Heatley concluded: "HES and Straightpoint go hand-in-hand because of the respective quality of our product ranges that are known in the industry—in Straightpoint’s case, globally. It is generally accepted that it manufactures the best load monitoring equipment, while we also operate at the top end of the marketplace. It makes sense for us to combine engineering expertise with quality of product and service. Further, customers appreciate attention to detail throughout a sales, design, installation, commissioning and after-sales process."

Month: June 2017

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