Workboats firm on the crest of a wave

Wednesday, 20th December 2017

A manufacturer of workboats is reporting a rapidly expanding order book and customer base after becoming a stand-alone business.

Hampshire-based Meercat, which employs 16 people at Hythe Marine Park, Southampton, now has enough work to last beyond the end of next year.

A management buyout in November secured the future of the firm as a restructured, wholly independent, operation.

This followed the financial difficulties and subsequent collapse into administration of the firm’s former parent company.

Managing director Jason Coltman said: “We have been through a difficult and challenging period, but I can say without doubt that we are swiftly moving ahead and looking forward to 2018 with renewed optimism.

“Our new backer, a private investor, has shown great confidence in helping us consolidate our position; our site landlord, creditors and customers have shown complete understanding of our business situation and staff have been magnificently loyal and patient.

“Meercat is now in a position to flourish. We are committed to growing the firm globally, we have an excellent track record and our hard work is paying off in the shape of new orders.

“Our customer base is beginning to snowball and we continue to work flat out to complete orders. We are also actively pursuing prospects for new work both locally and further afield as we seek to expand further.

“Our aim is to continue to develop the great Meercat brand and product range to compete globally with the best vessels in the workboat business”

Confirmed orders include a £500,000 oil spill response vessel for Europe, a 22-metre landing craft for a Scottish fish farm and an 18-metre utility vessel for the Shetland Islands.

Recent builds have included the 15-metre, heavy equipment carrying Spartina for the Southampton’s Harbour Master of Associated British Ports. It can be seen operating in Southampton Water.

Meercat relocated to its present purpose built 1,600 sq m Hythe site in 2016. Facilities include two 20-tonne gantry cranes, a machine shop, an electrical workshop, a hydraulic workshop, aluminium welding bays and steel fabrication bays.

Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet Sweden wins contract for precision steel nuclear storage tanks

Wednesday, 20th December 2017

Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet Sweden has been awarded the contract to manufacture high-precision special steel tanks together with their integrated cassettes for OKG; operator of three nuclear reactors on Sweden’s Simpevarp peninsula. With two reactors due to be decommissioned and dismantled, the tanks will be used to store radioactive reactor parts as part of the disposal process.

While Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet Sweden is best known as one of the ship repair and conversion yards in the Baltic Sea, it has over many years built up a reputation as a niche fabricator of high quality steel structures of all kinds. Its certifications include ISO 3834-2, which defines the rigorous quality procedures for the fusion welding of metallic materials and represents the highest possible accolade in the welding industry. The yard also has a certified painting facility that was built in 2009 for a similar project.

Deliveries of the tanks to OKG will start in spring 2018 and will continue through to the end of the following year. The reactor parts will first be cut down to manageable sizes under a separate contract won by General Electric, before being interred in the tanks. Three different designs will be built at the yard to meet different needs. The majority will have walls 50mm in thickness, but others will have walls up to 100mm and 150mm across.

Flip van der Waal, Managing Director of Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet Sweden, commented, “We are very pleased to have won this contract. Our highly trained and experienced staff have built similar containers in the past for both OKG and the Forsmark nuclear power plant and waste repository, also intended for the intermediate storage of radioactive waste. We are confident that we will be able to meet the extremely high demands of our customer with regards to HSEQS which are subject to the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency and regard this contract as a confirmation of our technical and management capabilities. While our steel and painting facilities are optimised for precisely this type of project, we also continue to fabricate specialised steel structures for other industries including the automotive sector.

“This contract is a confirmation that we are on track with our plans to capitalise on our specialist steel fabrication capabilities while at the same time consolidating and building our position in the Baltic region as the leading ship repair and conversion yard,” he continued. “Following a difficult period for our industry we are now experiencing a positive upswing in the second half of 2017 and given the healthy order book for 2018 we are positive on the short and long-term prospects for the yard.”

Johan Dasht, CEO of OKG, added: “Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet Sweden not only had the most competitive offer, it also has proven experience in working with OKG on similar projects. In addition it gives me great satisfaction to be able to say that we have now signed with a supplier that is in such close proximity.” The OKG site and Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet Sweden are just 30 kilometres apart.

Ship repair and maintenance projects currently underway at the yard include the refit and repair of the 77-metre Ro-Ro ferry Castella for Trafikverket; the Swedish Transport Administration. Damen Oskarshamnsvarvet’s combination of a dedicated production hall for steel works and a separate painting shed – which is unique in the region – was a factor in the award of the Castella contract.

Damen Shipyards Group and Concordia Group join forces

Tuesday, 19th December 2017

Joint venture between parties to increase market share in inland waterways

On December 15th, Damen Shipyards Group and Concordia Group signed a joint venture agreement with the purpose of cooperating in the construction and trade of inland waterway vessels. The joint venture will operate under the name Concordia Damen Shipbuilding.

“Damen and Concordia are joining forces in order to better support clients in their investments. Concordia Damen Shipbuilding will, beside catering to the general demand, focus on the development of sustainable vessels with a diversity of new shipbuilding techniques, in order to achieve a bright and clean future for ship-owners. We are very pleased to partner with Damen to expand our activities in the inland waterways market. We look forward to working together with Damen and its international network of shipyards and sales,” says Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia.

Concordia has been active in the Dutch inland waterways business since 2001 and also internationally over the past 10 years. The corporate identity of Concordia will remain within the new joint venture. The joint venture will increase production capacity.

This year, Damen is celebrating its 90th birthday. The company has been active in almost all sectors of the maritime industry since the beginning of the 20th century. Damen operates a global network of shipyards as well as an international sales and service network. The Inland Waterways team, led by Product Director Inland Waterway Transport Simon Provoost, will move from the Damen headquarters in Gorinchem, to the Concordia office in Werkendam, the Netherlands.

“Both parties are very pleased with this partnership and look forwards towards a future with ambition and mutual trust,” says Mr. Provoost, who will be appointed as Managing Director of Concordia Damen Shipbuilding.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion wins contract for first European conversion of a dredger to dual-fuel LNG / MGO

Friday, 15th December 2017

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has been awarded a contract to undertake the conversion of a dredger to dual-fuel capability combining LNG and MGO. This will be the first conversion of its kind to take place in Europe. The contract was awarded by Rouen-based GIE Dragages-Ports with regard to its 117m, 8500m³ trailing suction hopper dredger Samuel de Champlain, and the works will take place next year at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque. The conversion is part of an EU-supported initiative to promote LNG propulsion in short-sea vessels operating along the European Atlantic coast.

Under the contract, Damen is delivering a turnkey package that includes engineering, procurement and support. The current propulsion system of the Samuel de Champlain is diesel-electric burning MGO, and so the package includes the change of generators to dual-fuel models and the installation of onboard LNG storage facilities. The vessel was built in 2002 and is the largest vessel in the GIE Dragages-Ports fleet. Based in the Grand Maritime Port of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire, she divides her time between the Loire and Seine estuaries.

GIE Dragages-Ports is an economic interest group that owns, maintains and charters out a fleet of seven dredgers to six key ports serving the French Atlantic coast plus Marseille in the Mediterranean. It is 50% owned by the seven ports and 50% by the French State. Each port charters the dredgers from GIE Dragages-Ports according to its needs and is responsible for operating them and supplying its own crew.

The conversion project is being made possible by a subsidy from the European Commission’s Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) via its Connecting Europe Facility programme. To achieve the funding, GIE Dragages-Ports formed a 12-member Franco-Spanish consortium named the ‘S/F SamueLNG for a Blue Atlantic Arch’ project with the aim of promoting the use of LNG by small-scale vessels active on the Atlantic coasts of Spain and France and up into the English Channel / La Manche. The conversion of the Samuel de Champlain will demonstrate the feasibility of using LNG as a fuel on smaller vessels, and allow GIE Dragages-Ports to fulfil its mission of optimising costs via lower fuel bills and less engine maintenance, while at the same time delivering greatly reduced emissions of CO2.

“The consortium allows us to share experience with our partners and to access the support from INEA, without which this project would not have been possible,” said Jean-Pierre Guellec, CEO of GIE Dragages-Ports. “We hope that this conversion will demonstrate to other short-sea vessels the benefits of conversion to LNG and mark the first stage of the development of an LNG bunkering network on the Atlantic coast of mainland Europe.”

"At Damen Shiprepair & Conversion we believe in the fast growth of LNG as a marine fuel,” added Alexandre Richerd, Sales Manager at Damen Shiprepair & Conversion. “We are committed to sharing our expertise with our clients and supporting those who are considering retrofitting their fleet to dual fuel. This contract proves the ability of the Damen Group to offer its customers turnkey solutions for complex LNG conversions integrating engineering and procurement.”

Currently a series of studies are underway, and equipment is being ordered. The conversion itself is scheduled for the autumn of 2018.

For more information on the S/F SamueLNG for a Blue Atlantic Arch project, visit www.samuelng.eu

Be Prepared! – Esos Phase 2 (2019)- The Scope May Widen

Friday, 15th December 2017

Starting in 2015, large companies and organizations with over 250 employees, a turnover in excess of €50m (£39m), or balance sheet total in excess of €43 (£34m), have to produce and submit an energy audit to the Environment Agency every 4 years, unless they were already certified as meeting ISO 50001. The audit has to be approved or carried out by an accredited Lead Assessor and signed off by a Board director. Also, it has to include recommendations for improving the company’s energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction.

ESOS stands for the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, and is HM Government’s means of implementing a European Directive. Regardless of Brexit, the Government clearly intends to continue with the scheme in the next round that completes in 2019. The qualification date is 31 December 2018.

HMG’s Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are now consulting on major changes to the energy efficiency drive to meet our carbon targets set out in the Climate Change Act of 2008. Proposals include moving the carbon reduction commitment (CRC) into the climate change levy (CCL) as one tax; also, to widen the scope of ESOS to cover all registered companies reporting under the Companies Acts; and limited liability partnerships, (LLPs). The consultation, called Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SERC), ends in January 2018. Seatime Marine Consultants’ Bob Barnes, attended a BEIS briefing on SERC last November.

ESOS reports for the 2019 round must include 12 months continuous records of energy used in the company’s operations. These include building services, production facilities, road and even marine transport. For example, in 2015 Richard Thorne and Bob Barnes, with their strong marine background, who helped to form Seatime Marine Consultants in 2016, undertook ESOS audits of the Port of London Authority and Wightlink Ferries. In addition, Bob, as a member of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science & Technology (IMarEST)’s Emissions from Ships special interest group committee, is keeping tabs on the new international regulations coming into force in the next 3 years to report on and reduce ship emissions.

Seatime’s Lead Assessors are accredited by the Energy Institute’s Register of Professional Energy Consultants (www.energyinst.org/Rpec). Prior to joining Rpec, they were part of the Carbon Trust’s nationwide network of consultants undertaking opportunity assessments of many companies and organizations, analysing their energy data; and making costed recommendations with payback times to reduce their carbon footprint.

Now is the time therefore for all companies and organizations who, on conclusion of SERC, could be brought into scope for ESOS 2 in 2019, to review their energy policy, and set up or check that they have in place efficient monitoring and targeting of their energy use and costs. The sting in the tail for not complying with ESOS 2 will be fines of up to £90,000. Therefore, be prepared; and seek professional help if necessary!

Seatime Marine Consultants are members of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, and in Segensworth, Fareham PO15 5TD, phone: (01489) 558990, email: enquiries@seatimemarine.co.uk, and will be pleased to provide advice and audits to help companies reduce their carbon footprints and maritime carbon emissions; and to comply with ESOS 2.

BOLL & KIRCH 5/2-Way Solenoid Valve Overhaul Kit

Friday, 15th December 2017

A 5/2 way directional valve from the name itself has 5 ports equally spaced and 2 flow positions. It can be used to isolate and simultaneously bypass a passage way for the fluid which for example should retract or extend a double-acting cylinder. There are variety of ways to have this valve actuated. A solenoid valve is commonly used, a lever can manually twist or pinch to actuate the valve, an internal or external hydraulic or pneumatic pilot to move the shaft inside, sometimes with a spring return on the other end so it will go back to its original position when pressure has gone, or a combination of any of those mentioned above.

This is the first video in the, BOLLFILTER UK Spares Department "How to" series of repair and service help films. This one shows operators a low-cost method to overhaul the 5/2-Way Solenoid Valve, a standard spare part present in the BOLL & KIRCH Filter Range.

BOLLFILTER UK are the only approved BOLL & KIRCH supplier in the UK & Ireland. A lower cost way to replace the 5/2-Way Solenoid Valve found in the complete BOLL & KIRCH Filter Range. Purchase our Overhaul Kit and save over 40% on the cost of a new unit.

BOLLFILTER UK have been the UK and Ireland exclusive sales office, stockist and distributor for BOLL & KIRCH filtration products for over 2 decades and hold stocks of marine and industrial spare parts at their UK premises for immediate dispatch.

For more information and supply of spare parts please contact the BOLLFILTER UK Filters team. Contact details below;

BOLLFILTER UK Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1621 862180
Email: filters8@bollfilter.co.uk
Website: https://www.bollfilter.com/uk

Valeport MIDAS SVX2 selected by Saab Kockums

Wednesday, 6th December 2017

Leading manufacturer of oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instrumentation, Valeport, has announced its contract to supply four customised MIDAS SVX2 probes to Saab Kockums.

The MIDAS SVX2 is an advanced probe, combining sound velocity with salinity and density technologies to provide a versatile instrument which delivers superior data profiles. The MIDAS SVX2 was selected for its commercial off the shelf (COTS) status which contributed to project cost and lead time efficiency.

Swedish manufacturer, Saab Kockums, develops leading-edge, world-class naval technology to design, build and maintain naval surface vessels and submarines that incorporate the most advanced stealth technology.

Kevin Edwards, Valeport sales & marketing manager, commented: “Valeport’s COTS approach means that the latest sensor technology is available at optimal cost and lead time. Our products can be customised to suit surface vessel and submarine requirements and we are proud that Valeport instruments are in regular operational use.”

Valeport is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric instrumentation. See www.valeport.co.uk

Long reach excavators assist with Port of Dover project

Tuesday, 5th December 2017

The Port of Dover has been embarking on its biggest project and single investment for over 70 years with the £120m redevelopment of the Western Docks, due for completion by 2019. This includes the construction of 2 new berths along with quay walls and land reclamation, new marina facilities, navigation channel and new lock gates, bascule bridge and capital dredging work. VolkerStevin Boskalis Westminster (VSBW) is the main contractor for the works.

Long reach specialists WM Plant Hire have been involved in the marine works at Dunkirk Jetty where a section of the quay wall had to be removed for the new approach channels. Their 85-tonne long reach machine was used to unload the demolition material using a rotating hydraulic grab, in conjunction with the 60-tonne long reach, fitted with underwater breaker mounted on a pontoon, to clear down to the seabed level. Electronic dig control systems were set up to ensure accuracy and monitor the position of the attachments.

Due to the critical nature of this section of the works, machines worked round the clock and were operated by WM Plant Hire’s own dedicated and experienced operators.

What an Incredible Year…

Tuesday, 5th December 2017

As a long-standing family business of over 40 years, you may think that Seaplant would be taking a well-deserved rest – nothing could be further from the truth!
2017 has seen us expand our business and grow our reach for our customers more than we could have possibly imagined.

As well as our treasured partnerships with long standing shows, new connections with essential exhibitions and conferences all over the world have broadened the reach for our customers and taken their products and services to new and varied key decision makers all over the world.

As our social media life on Twitter, Facebook and Linked In brings us closer to our clients' everyday achievements, heavy investment in Google AdWords ensures that Seaplant is 'top of the shop' when it comes to key searches in the marine industry.
Add to this our vastly improving website, under construction for the last few months and due to go live early in 2018, and you can understand why and how our online presence is soaring, fielding more visitors than ever before.

It's certainly going to be a busy 2018 for the Seaplant crew but as we hit our 500th issue in April we will have plenty to celebrate too!

Thank you so much for your trust, business and support to both our new and long-standing clients. We try our utmost to take the pressure out of your advertising and business promotions for the most competitive price on the market.

Best wishes,
Margaret, Rochelle, Fran, Karen, Anne, Jackie, Janet, Alex, Poppy & the team.

PCE Instruments launched 3 new sound level meters

Monday, 4th December 2017

PCE Instruments recently launched 3 brand-new and highly accurate class 1 and 2 sound level meters. These have been designed to tackle the wide-spread problem of noise at the workplace which can cause health issues. However, with their many functions, they can be used in many other areas of application.

An alarming number of employees worldwide has to deal with unacceptable noise levels at work, which often causes severe hearing problems that cannot be reversed. Several rules and regulations are there to prevent these problems. In order to take the right precautions, noise must become measurable. This is where manufacturers of high-end test instruments like PCE Instruments come into play.

The recently launched PCE-428, PCE-430 and PCE-432 noise meters can do A, B, C and Z frequency weightings as well as fast, slow and impulse time weightings which makes them highly helpful when it comes to assessing noise nuisance at the workplace, traffic noise, industrial noise, etc. For companies which have to stick to certain rules and regulations, it is important to know that the new SPL meters are in line with the standards GB/T 3785.1-2010, IEC 60651:1979, IEC 60804:2000, IEC 61672-1:2013, ANSI S1.4-1983 and ANSI S1.43-1997. The PCE-428 is a class 2 model whereas the PCE-430 and PCE-432 are class 1 models.

The standard versions of the noise level meters are with 1/1 octave band but optionally with 1/3 octave band. The user can set the alarm threshold. The sound meters can calculate SPL, LEQ, Max, Min, Peak, SD, SEL, and E values. Data can saved to a Micro SD card and evaluated via a PC software which is included in the delivery. The new PCE sound level meters come with a microphone, a wind noise suppressor (foam ball), a USB cable, a mains adaptor, a factory calibration certificate according to ISO 9001, a user manual and a carrying case.
Calibrators or a tripod can be purchased at an extra charge.

PCE Instruments, with headquarters in Germany and offices in Chile, France, Spain, Italy, China, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Turkey, Poland, the UK and the US, manufactures and sells test instruments, control systems, laboratory and weighing equipment for a vast range of different purposes and applications, to a great extent under the label "PCE Instruments®", but also from other renowned producers. PCE also provides pre- and aftersales technical advice as well as calibration and re-calibration services.

For further information, please see: https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/measuring-instruments/test-meters/sound-level-meter-noise-level-meter-kat_40095.htm

Month: December 2017

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