Straightpoint Offers Two-Year Warranty as Standard

Monday, 30th April 2018

Straightpoint (SP) is offering a two-year warranty as standard on its full range of load cells and other force measurement equipment, effective 1 April 2018.

SP customers could previously extend their warranty from one to two years if they completed a registration form upon purchase of a product, but the 24-month term is now honoured as standard across the catalogue of products, from the best-selling Radiolink plus load cell to its latest innovation, CableSafe, designed for measuring synthetic rope tension.

David Ayling, director at SP, said: “It represents continuation of a chapter of value-adding enhancements we have made recently. We have combined quality of product with evolution and diversification of the range over a period of time, but extending the warranty aligns with recent certifications and accreditations that further cement our status in the marketplace.”

Ayling referred to the newly acquired DNV GL Type Approval Certificate, acknowledging that its equipment meets the rigorous standards of the global quality assurance and risk management company for their use offshore; approved exporter status from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC); and expanded ATEX / IECEx approval, as other examples of fortifying the range and its supply with endorsements from recognised authorities and bodies.

He added: “At the top end of any market, the best equipment is supported with accreditations and certifications that make buying decisions even easier. Many of our customers, distributors, and end users of SP equipment already know about our load cells’ ability to work, say, offshore for much longer than two years—they don’t need DNV or a warranty certificate to tell them—but it can only add further confidence and perhaps peace of mind to prospective clients or those who haven’t worked with our apparatus in the past.”

Meanwhile, SP’s 2018 trade show marathon continues this month (April), with exhibition stands at the Mast and Tower Safety Group’s second annual conference in Leeds, UK on the 11th, before the Norwegian Society of Lifting Technology and the Offshore Mechanical Handling Equipment Committee host the International Offshore Cranes & Lifting Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland from the 24th to 27th. Three events follow in May.

Ayling concluded: “Exhibitions provide context [for the new warranty period]. We try to keep our stands as product centric as possible, so attendees can get hands-on with our kit, but as dialogue advances with serious buying decision makers it’s edifying to be able to reference expanded warranty and other supporting benefits to choosing our technologies.”

Straightpoint Matches Loadlink Range to Industry Shackle Sizes

Monday, 30th April 2018

Straightpoint (SP) has made a series of enhancements to its range of loadlink products that includes matching the capacity of its previous 5t and 50t capacity units to industry standard shackle sizes of 6.5t and 55t respectively.

SP manufactures the Loadlink plus digital tension load cell, or dynamometer, but the word ‘loadlink’ is used generically, also in reference to the company’s best-selling Radiolink plus and Wirelink plus products. David Ayling, director at SP, explained that the terminology is widely applied throughout the lifting and other industries to describe tensile links that are rigged using shackles.

He added: “The previous sizes were based on an incremental capacity scale that was adopted by the company even years before my arrival. We stuck with what the customers were already familiar with for good reason and at great success; however, we were increasingly quizzed on why the range didn’t align with, say, the Crosby, Green Pin, or GN Rope lines of shackles.”

Ayling acknowledged that a further catalyst for change was the DNV GL Type Approval Certification process; as a result of which the three aforementioned products now comply with DNVGL-ST-0378, the standard for offshore and platform lifting appliances. An 18-month programme involved the entire SP community, from in-house engineers to end users, and a proposed move to conformity with industry standard shackle sizes, albeit unrelated to DNV, was given overwhelming backing by relevant stakeholders.

In addition, SP has also increased the capacity of the loadlink range to 500t (up from 300t), while the lowest unit remains 1t. It is recommended that users only apply the products down to 3% of their working load limit (WLL), so a 100t capacity Radiolink plus, for example, can be safely applied to a 3t load test.

A final improvement has been made to smaller loadlink models to improve their waterproof sealing, giving offshore and other purchasing decision makers even greater confidence in the load cells’ performance. Ayling explained that the cavity in which the chassis and front plate fits into was the focal point of this particular enhancement.

He concluded: “Matching up with the industry’s shackles and adding even more differentiating factors to the loadlink range was a rewarding but painstaking process. Replacing the 5t and 50t units involved a complete redesign of the products, FEA [finite element analysis], extensive testing, and more before we could put this popular evolution to market.”

LGH Expands Load Cell Fleet with SP Products

Monday, 30th April 2018

Lifting Gear Hire (LGH) has added to its fleet of load cells with a landmark order for Straightpoint (SP) Radiolink plus units, ranging in capacity from 5t to 500t. LGH will now be able to offer the highest capacity Radiolink plus load cells available for rent in Europe with a pair of 500t products.

Agreed at last year’s LiftEx trade show in Telford, UK, the order also comprises pairs of load cells in 100t, 200t, and 300t capacities. Delivery of the wireless tension load cells swells LGH’s fleet of force measurement technologies to over 200 units. The Radiolink plus, capable of both weighing and dynamic load monitoring, is SP’s most popular product.

Phil Smith, commercial manager at LGH, said: “We prefer to deal with specialist companies and given our long-standing knowledge of the SP range, we didn’t see any reason to look beyond what is a proven product. We conducted a complete review of historical data, including won and lost quotes, which enabled us to arrive at what we believe is our optimised range.”

LGH has also invested heavily in a range of Green Pin wide body shackles to accessorise the new SP units. Smith added: “We actually ended up with wide body shackles throughout. Whilst this is a preference for our customers on the larger sizes—we already elected to commence the improved range of shackles at 55t capacity—we thought it beneficial to achieve consistency.”

The wide body versions use a specific pin diameter that is different to the standard pins SP typically use for calibration. David Mullard, business development manager at SP, explained that to resolve this and to ensure optimum accuracy, it has adapted its calibration rig fittings so load cells can be calibrated with the same pin diameter used in the shackles. “This way we ensure that calibration conditions are as close as possible to real-world use with the safety and accuracy benefits associated with that,” he said.

LGH has reacted to demand to stock the largest Radiolink plus load cells on the European rental market. Smith said: “We’ve received regular enquiries for this capacity load cell over the past six months, so rather than re-hire, we’ve committed to making the investment. Despite being a highly specialised company focusing on lifting equipment rental, we’re always looking for niche products that give us an edge over competition and the 500t load cells meet that criteria.”

Mullard will lead training at LGH branches that will stock the new load cells. He said the specifics of those sessions will include wireless centre of gravity software, particularly useful for planning heavy lifts and to obtain the exact centre of gravity location of an item as part of a lift plan; the Clamp On Line Tensionmeter (or COLT), for measuring tension on static lines; and the new ATEX / IECEX-approved range of load cells for use in hazardous areas.

Smith concluded: “Training on safe use, features, and benefits of the equipment is a vital component in successfully launching any new products. We hope to create the need for further units, but our next phase will most likely see some activity in the compression range.”

Please Vote for Straightpoint

Thursday, 26th April 2018

This year we have been nominated for three awards in the prestigious Reader's Choice – Weighing Reveiw Awards
Categories nominated in:

Best Weighing Company
Best Load Cells
– Product nominated: Radiolink plus
Best Weighing Software/Solutions
– Product nominated: Bluetooth HHP app

Please take a moment to vote for SP – we would appreciate it!!

Abbey joins the NERO Sales Team

Wednesday, 25th April 2018

Due to the company’s growth and expansion plans, NERO are pleased to welcome Abbey Downes in to the Sales Team.

Abbey’s previous knowledge both in products and customer services will enrich and enhance the NERO Sales team further.

Sales manager Thomas Ruston-Shaw said:
At NERO we believe growth and excellence in customer service go hand in hand. I am pleased to welcome Abbey to our already diverse and knowledgeable sales team in an effort to continue to provide the best customer experience in the marine industry.

Our sales office is boosted further by the NERO website. The site which is fully integrated into the NERO sales system will show you current prices, availability, alongside data sheets and the latest product which continue to be added to our current range of over 5,000 items.

Why not visit www.nero.co.uk and see how we stand out from other suppliers, both for pricing, availability and despatch times, we have one of the latest cut-off times in the industry.

“Committed to quality and customer service”

Williams Shipping Begins Contract Transporting 82m Wind Turbine Blades

Wednesday, 25th April 2018

Southampton-based marine & transport business, Williams Shipping, have started working on a contract to transport 82m offshore wind turbine blades for wind energy specialists MHI Vestas.

Turbine production in the UK
MHI Vestas is a joint venture between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Vestas Wind Systems. Their V164 offshore wind turbines are amongst the world’s most powerful, with a nameplate capacity of up to 9.5 megawatts. Blades have been manufactured at their facility on the Isle of Wight since 2015, with serial production commencing in 2017. The facility is expected to produce around 150 blades per year.

In 2017 MHI Vestas announced plans to re-purpose part of a decommissioned power plant near Southampton into a state-of-the-art painting and logistics facility for the blades.

Handling oversized loads
Moving and handling these immense items presents some unique challenges. At 82m long the blades cannot be transported by road and are instead transported by barge: from the Isle of Wight, to the painting facility, and then on to international docks for shipping overseas.

To carry out this task, a special design of blade transport barge was created. Self-powered, this 76m barge is designed to work in the shallow waters around the Solent, with an unloaded draught of 0.65m and a loaded draft of just 0.75m.
As well as managing operation of the vessel, Williams will also be managing the stevedoring with cranes installed at local sites on the Isle of Wight, Fawley and Portsmouth Docks.

Williams Shipping and Seawork
Williams Shipping is a marine and logistics company which has been based in Southampton for over 120 years. Its marine services include charter of vessels and barges, towage and port services.

Philip Williams, Director of Marine at Williams Shipping commented,

“We’re really pleased to get started on this contract. We have spent some time getting all the equipment and people set up and the arrival of the blade barges was the final stage. MHI Vestas’ ongoing investment has been great for the area and we are glad we can play a part in building the wind energy industry on the south coast.”

Vestas V164 turbines are used in a number of offshore wind farms around the world including Burbo Bank, off the coast of Liverpool. The blade running contract runs for two years initially, but is expected to be ongoing.

Innovative Damen RSD Tug 2513 kicks-off introduction tour in Italy

Wednesday, 25th April 2018

Always operating ‘bow first’ – a new paradigm in harbour towage

The first of Damen’s revolutionary new RSD 2513 harbour tugs is kicking-off an introduction tour of European ports with visits to some of Italy’s most important ports plus the Grand Harbour at Malta. These visits offer owners, operators and press the opportunity to inspect the vessel themselves, experience her performance and learn about her many advantages in terms of safety, efficiency and flexibility.

The radical new design of the RSD Tug 2513 is the result of extensive industry consultation at every level to find solutions to the general demand for tugs that are compact for operations in and around harbours and terminals, yet have the power and flexibility to manoeuvre even the largest vessels safely, quickly and efficiently within restricted waters.

The 25-metre RSD Tug 2513 is the result of years of research and development by Damen by listening to the harbour towage industry’s needs and cooperation with its research institute partners. The design combines elements of tractor tugs and ASD tugs to create a class of vessel that effectively has two bows, enabling it to always operate bow first. The result is a tug that is equally effective at bow assists and stern assists. A Damen Twin Fin skeg also contributes to the effectiveness of the design, giving the RSD Tug 2513 excellent course-keeping characteristics. Bollard pull is 75 tonnes ahead (push) and 71 tonnes astern (pull).

This ‘bow first’ capability gives tug operators a vessel that is exceptionally efficient.

The design brings additional benefits including a higher freeboard than is usual on a tug of this size. This improves safety and stability. The RSD Tug 2513 also features a wide range of additional features including the new Damen Safety Glass for the wheelhouse. This is shatterproof glass similar to that used in cars and it represents a huge step forward in crew protection because the glass does not fragment when struck by a heavy object. Other innovations include the glued superstructure to counter noise and vibration, and Damen’s remote monitoring system.

The tour is being managed by Damen sales manager Antonio Marte.

Damen Dredging Equipment launches new DOP Dredger Series

Thursday, 19th April 2018

Damen Dredging Equipment has launched a new DOP Dredger Series following the success of the DOP submersible dredge pump, which has proved its versatility across the globe.

Damen has built more than 20 DOP dredgers on a one-off basis and at least 380 DOP pumps. The DOP submersible dredge pump has been such a great success over the last 25 years because of its simple concept, which is based on a well-proven dredge pump, directly driven by a hydraulic or electric motor, assembled in a rigid housing with the ability to attach all kinds of specialised suction devices, such as mining heads or cutter units. Moreover, the DOP can easily be connected to excavators, cranes, etc.

Olivier Marcus, Damen Product Director Dredging, explains: “In the past we have had many requests for ‘ad hoc’ dredgers using a DOP pump. So we have listened to our clients and learnt from that. They told us mobility and a deep, dredging depth were vital. The knowledge and experience we have gained over the years has now led to the development of a new standard series of DOP Dredgers focusing on maximum sand production at significant depths and practical transport and assembly due to the limited unit weights.”

Dams, mining and sand winning
In recent years there has been more demand for specialised dredgers from hydroelectric dam/water reservoir operators, sand mining companies, and dredging companies carrying out sand winning for reclamation projects, he adds. “There are probably tens of thousands of hydropower dams and water reservoirs in the world built in the last decades. As the flow of the river is dramatically reduced, the sediment it carries settles by the dam. The DOP dredger is ideal to tackle dam maintenance work.”

DOP dredgers are also very good for deep sand winning. “Mining companies are going deeper and deeper for minerals. And separately, there is a lot more land reclamation taking place. The DOP dredger, with the submerged DOP pump, can go much deeper to win sand when compared to a Cutter Suction Dredger.”

Depths to 100 m
The new Damen DOP Dredger Series makes use of the standard DOP 150, 200, 250 and 350, which have a mixture capacity ranging from 600m3/h to 2,400 m3/h. Due to the use of a submerged dredge pump, the DOP Dredger is simply able to reach depths other dredgers cannot, with an ability to dredge to 100 m. Damen is also introducing an all-electric version of the DOP Dredger, which is particularly appealing for maintenance dredging at hydroelectric dams.

Remote locations
Often projects are taking place in very remote areas, Mr Marcus adds, in the case of hydroelectric dams, high up in the mountains where road access is not easy. Here, the DOP Dredger is ideal because it is easily dismountable and transportable because even its largest components are never bigger than a standard container size. It also has a limited weight, so can be assembled with a small crane.

Quick delivery times
The Damen DOP Dredger Series can be delivered at very short notice. The DOP pumps, power packs and pontoons are standard and therefore in stock. “We can have a fully built up dredger ready for the customer within a few weeks or if customers prefer, it can be built on-site or at a location of their choice.”

It is also possible to change the suction head depending on the project, giving a lot of flexibility, he points out. For example for compact material, a cutter can be installed, or a water injection head to boost production in free flowing sand.

Mr Marcus concludes: “The DOP Dredger client benefits from Damen’s standardised products, which offer a well proven design and provide guaranteed performance, and on top of that the dredgers can be delivered promptly to the customer, no matter how remote they are.”

For more information please look at www.damen.com.

Maid of the loch launches appeal for Volunteers to be part of historic return

Thursday, 19th April 2018

The last paddle steamer built in Britain, Maid of the Loch, is appealing for volunteers to throw them a lifeline as they get set to sail around Loch Lomond once again.

A host of opportunities are available as part of the volunteering team including tour guides, shop assistants, events and promotional staff. Full training will be provided, and all will help protect and care for the historic attraction as it prepares to return to a fully functional steamship.
The call comes as the ship enters the final stages of a 20+ year fundraising campaign, meaning those who sign up will have a unique opportunity to be part of British steamship history, as it sails on another ‘Maiden Voyage’ after 38 years out of commission.

With an expected footfall of up to 95,000 visitors each year once operational, the volunteering roles will see those involved enjoy the most scenic of locations, whilst sharing their own personal stories and heritage with sightseers from all around the world.

John Beveridge, Director of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, said: “As the demand for Maid of the Loch continues to grow and with her anticipated return next year, we now need to look ahead and call upon those with a passion and desire of protecting something as special as the Maid to help us out.

“Volunteers are the backbone of this whole project, without whom the Maid would be consigned to the history books. It’s a truly unique opportunity for anyone looking to be a part of Scottish history to share their enthusiasm and commitment with us. I myself have been involved with the Maid for over 20 years as a volunteer and every day is extremely rewarding as we get her ready to sail once again.”

The Maid is currently moored at Balloch Pier as a static tourist attraction and was taken on by a group of dedicated volunteers from charity Loch Lomond Steamship Company in 1996. They have since been working tirelessly to transform and restore the ship.

Through a number of fundraising efforts over the past 20+ years, they have almost reached their end goal of £5.5 million, in a bid to get the Maid back up and running again.

There are no barriers for those wishing to volunteer by way of skills as all necessary training will be provided. However, all volunteers must be aged 18 and over. To register your interest in this exciting project and be part of the Maid sailing again, please call 01389 711 865 or email the team at mail@maidoftheloch.org.

Kazmortransflot LLP takes delivery of final Damen Shoalbuster 2709 for Caspian Sea operations

Thursday, 19th April 2018

National Maritime Shipping CompanyKazmortransflot LLP, a leader in transportation in the Caspian Sea region, has taken delivery of its third Damen Shoalbuster 2709, the last in the current order. The vessels are ideal for operations in the shallow waters of the Caspian Sea and are now playing an important role in the development of oil fields in the Kazakh section of the inland sea and significantly expanding the range of services that Kazmortransflot can offer its clients.

The contracts for the three Shoalbusters 2709 were signed in July 2017 between Damen, NMSC Kazmortransflot LLP and Al Hilal Islamic Bank, which arranged the Sharia compliant financing. All three vessels were built at Damen Shipyards Gorinchem with the first two delivered from stock just two months following the signing of the contract. Named Embaand Talas, they were handed over to Kazmortransflot on 5 September 2017 in the Netherlands. The third, named Irgiz, was officially delivered on 15 March this year. The vessels are RMRS classified.

The versatile and highly successful Damen Shoalbuster range offers a wide range of options within the standard designs, and Kazmortransflot chose a higher power rating for their 27-metre vessels to deliver a top speed of more than 11 knots and a bollard pull of more than 40 tonnes. Their duties will include towing structures and other vessels, assisting ships, navigational assistance, the planting and handling of anchors, and other auxiliary ship duties.

Marat Ormanov of Kazmortransflot said at the time of the contract signing, “We chose to work with Damen for these vessels because of the proven track record of the Damen Shoalbuster range. Also, thanks to Damen’s standardised shipbuilding concept and philosophy of building for stock, they are able to deliver our vessels within very short term, enabling us to rapidly put our development plans into action.”

Marc Tijssen, Sales Manager at Damen Shipyards Group, added: “Damen is involved in the Caspian Sea already for a long time. We trust that the delivery of these three vessels marks the first step in a long-term relationship with Kazmortransflot. We are looking forward to assist them with new projects!”

Yeltay Mukhamejanov, Head of Businessof Al Hilal Islamic Bank: “We are pleased to provide the first Islamic structured financing for Kazmortransflot and make our contribution in developing the Caspian region.”

National Maritime Shipping Company Kazmortransflot operates a fleet of modern tankers and support vessels in the Caspian region. Owned by National Company KazMunaiGas JSC, its primary objective is the development of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s merchant marine and the growth of a domestic shipping capability to serve its international trade flows.

Month: April 2018

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