Dynamic Load Monitoring welcome new recruit

Wednesday, 9th September 2020

Dynamic Load Monitoring (DLM) would like to welcome Adrian Farwell to the DLM family. Adrian has been appointed into the new role of Marine Sales Manager, taking over some of the workload from Director Jeff Halford, who moves into part time retirement.

Adrian joined DLM at the start of September with a wealth of experience in the commercial marine sector, primarily cruise ships, super yachts, dredgers and ferries. Adrian’s role at DLM will be to expand his existing knowledge within the marine sector and maintain and grow our marine side of the business, working with our existing customers and looking to source new business.

DLM are manufacturers of high quality load monitoring solutions, operating in the Marine, Offshore, Lifting and Rigging industries. DLM are based in Nursling, Southampton and have distributors around the world, selling and calibrating specialist market leading products. As a dynamic and progressive company DLM have been growing year on year and are established as market leaders, proving the need for a new role to be created to concentrate solely on this side of the business.

Jeff Halford, Director comments ‘ It is a very niche industry and almost a separate arm to the rest of the business we do here at DLM so we are very fortunate to have found Adrian, who joins us with not only enthusiasm, but also the background knowledge to get the job done.’

Jeff Continues, ‘Moving into retirement has not been an easy decision to make, having been involved in the company’s growth for nearly ten years now. However, I feel confident that Adrian has the vision and knowledge to continue to provide our clients with excellent customer service and fulfil the supply needs of not only our current customers but also future DLM customers’
Adrian comments ‘I’m delighted to start this role with DLM and embark on a new challenge. It is a great opportunity when a new role has been created; you can really make it your own. I will be utilising my existing skillset and taking on all the advice from the company Director, Jeff to hopefully grow the company even further.’

When Adrian is not at work he is a family man, who has two young children who keep him busy. He is Southampton born and bred, enjoys playing and watching most sports but in particular football, where he hold a season ticket for Southampton FC.

Mega-yacht sailing safe with ManuplasÂ® fendering

Wednesday, 9th September 2020

We understand how important it is to keep all vessels, damage-free. That’s why when working on our latest mega-yacht, Bikini, our years of experience and knowledge allowed us to recommend and supply a reliable and effective fendering solution.

We supplied cast fendering as opposed to traditional rubber fendering; as:

The finished look and feel of the fendering are very important to mega-yacht operators. Cast fendering is fixed to the yacht using adhesive, which provides precision and is not visible once the fendering has been fitted
Cast fendering is much lighter than other fendering solutions, ensuring the vessel reaches maximum cruising speeds quickly.

The customer needed a bespoke design to ensure the contour of the vessel and the swimming platform extension was followed exactly. Our experienced marine team worked with the customer’s designer to ensure the fendering met the exact specification and was delivered to fit with the project timeframe.

Cast fendering can be an appropriate solution for both new build and retrofit projects.

If you are an operator and need to update or replace your vessel fendering, talk to our marine team.

SMM 2021: Leading international maritime trade fair prepares to restart

Tuesday, 8th September 2020

The global trade fair business is slowly coming back to life. SMM 2021 is getting ready for its rescheduled date in February. The maritime industry is looking ahead to the gathering with great anticipation. The detailed concept developed by the organisers of SMM ensures a great trade fair experience with utmost safety for exhibitors and visitors.

Hamburg, 08-09-2020 – The spread of the coronavirus has left the international trade fair schedule in disarray. Following more than six months of complete paralysis, the first exhibitor events are now being held again, if with restrictions and a limited scope. The leading international maritime trade fair SMM, which would have begun this Tuesday if it hadn't been for the coronavirus, is now preparing for its rescheduled date in Hamburg from 2 until 5 February 2021. "Of course, the entire SMM team is a bit sad the fair isn't starting today. But increasingly, this regret is giving way to a sense of anticipation of a rather unique SMM in February 2021," said Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director – Maritime and Technology Fairs & Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC). The industry has responded well to the postponement: “We are pleased to say that more than 80 percent of SMM 2018 exhibitors will again participate in SMM 2021,” said Selbach.

Hybrid exhibition concept

Selbach's team is currently working full-steam ahead on a concept that will make SMM 2021 an equally inspiring and safe experience despite the restrictions necessitated by the pandemic. They are planning a hybrid trade fair that will include on-site exhibitors and visitors as well as online programs for all those who are unable to attend. "We are trying out a host of new ideas and planning to implement formats never seen at SMM before," Selbach reports. Safety is the top priority: Being able to make sure that social distancing rules and reliable contact tracing can be implemented at the exhibition venue is a major achievement for the organisers of SMM. This means that trade fairs are not subject to the ban on major events that will remain in effect in Germany at least until the end of this year. In about a month, SMM will present to its exhibitors a set of well-structured Health and Safety Guidelines which strictly follow the provisions of the SARS-CoV-2 ordinance imposed by the State and City of Hamburg (Hamburgische SARS-CoV-2- Eindämmungsverordnung). It has been prepared by HMC working closely with the SMM exhibitor advisory board, the health and safety experts of several major exhibitors, and other SMM partners. The Health and Safety Guidelines require preregistration for the fair, set a maximum daily limit for the number of exhibitors and visitors on site, specify wider aisles and plexiglass partitions at exhibition stands, and stipulate participant tracking in the exhibition halls as well as many other precautionary measures. “We want to make sure that both visitors and exhibitors will feel comfortable being at SMM," Selbach emphasises.

Far-reaching changes

The HMC concept was proven to work at the guest event Nordstil which ended yesterday. Nordstil is a key marketplace for exhibitors and trade visitors from the lifestyle and home decoration industries. It was one of the first consumer goods fairs held since the pandemic began.

At the beginning of next year, everyone's attention will be focused on SMM. Industry stakeholders are looking forward to the return of the maritime event: "You can meet the whole wide world via the internet but it is never the same as being at an event like SMM where all members of the shipping community come together, network, and discuss the issues.“ said Sadan Kaptanoglu, President and Chairperson of the board of BIMCO, the world's largest organisation for shipowners, charterers, ship brokers and agents. There is no other place in the world where maritime decision-makers can network and arrange business deal as rapidly and conveniently as at SMM. An observation Klaus Deleroi, General Manager of Reintjes, one of the world's leading manufacturers of ship gearboxes, is quick to confirm: "We definitely can work in our home offices for a certain period of time by using all digital communication tools, but doing real business needs seeing and talking to people in real. I am happy that SMM is only postponed and not cancelled.”

The pandemic has turned the trade fair world upside down. But a disruptive event can open up new perspectives for hosts, exhibitors and visitors alike. This is why SMM Director Selbach is optimistic about the future: “After the coronavirus pandemic, trade fairs will never again be the way they used to be: Even when people are able to travel without restrictions again, we will make use of the wide-ranging options of the digital age. They harbour great potential for trade fair operators and visitors alike."

The SMS Group Becomes The Only Ship Repairer Within Southampton Docks New Premises, New Investment, New Location – Better Business

Tuesday, 8th September 2020

The SMS Group are relocating their Southampton headquarters as part of a longer-term plan to ensure both sustainability and commercial longevity.

The business will proudly become the only ship repairer based within the Port of Southampton.

The SMS Group has an enviable reputation as specialists in ship repair, marine engineering and major fabrication projects in the Commercial Marine, Defence, Cruise and Superyachts sectors.

The business will move to Western Avenue, within ABP Southampton’s footprint adjacent the King George V drydock.

The move represents a strategic decision to move the business closer to its core customer base, and at the same time improve its geographical location.

SMS Southampton is headed up by Ben Rowe and Dave Chaffers.

Ben Rowe, General Manager, said: “Since the acquisition of 2017 we deliberately, and decisively, made the decision to retain the Western Avenue site within our Estates Portfolio to ensure that when the time came we we’re best placed to capitalise on the benefits of this historically proven footprint.
“I started my career on the footprint as an apprentice for Testbank Ship Repair. Up until 2005, the site was A&P’s home – perfectly adjacent to the 366m King George V dry dock. The site is great, the location perfect and the move long overdue.”

Dave Chaffers, General Manager, said: “We’ve taken this decision now due to three very credible reasons.

“One, the time is right, as a Group, and as a Business Unit, we’re trading profitably and ahead of budget.

“Two, the site is perfect – it’s within the port, adjacent to a main transit route, easily accessed from the M271; it’s close to all the ports agents, and, as Ben’s mentioned, the site is historically proven to be good home for ship repairers.
“It makes up part of our Estates Portfolio and the location is second-to-none; it really is ideal.

“And three, it coincides nicely with the planned ‘change of purpose’ at Ocean Quay; they’ll be undertaking further works of non-marine restoration which is contrary the modern profile of SMS and that of our customers’ requirements.”

The SMS Group will be investing in both the fabrication workshop and the new mechanical workshop.
The site will benefit from new signage and further investment in the offices.

The location will also improve the company’s quayside presence, and its mobility with the city’s port infrastructure.
The new trading address will be: The SMS Group, Western Avenue, Western Docks, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 0HH. All telephone numbers will remain unchanged.

The new name and brand for Prior Diesel â€“ more than a name change

Tuesday, 8th September 2020

To reflect a progression to provide cleaner diesel and alternative power products to support the oil & gas, industrial, construction, marine and agricultural sectors’ transition to greener power sources, Prior Diesel has become Prior Power Solutions.

Alongside this move towards alternative and more sustainable forms of power, the Great Yarmouth based company has also announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Manchester Metropolitan University to undertake research and development into cleaner hydrogen-injected diesel engines and hydrogen fuel cell technology. This follows work with ORE Catapult, recognising the importance of offshore wind and the potential of green hydrogen production.

The collaboration will see the company working with the university and its £4.1m hydrogen fuel cell technology centre to develop engines utilising hydrogen injection which will significantly reduce overall emission levels. This forms part of a range of technological alternative power options Prior Power Solutions is currently developing.

Professor Andy Gibson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan says, “We’re excited about developing this partnership with Prior Power Solutions and look forward to progressing to the next stage, focusing on developing transnational research where hydrogen fuel cells can be effective in helping organisations bridge the zero carbon innovation gap.”

Amer Gaffar, Director of the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC) adds, “I really look forward to developing this partnership with Prior Power Solutions. Our vision for the centre has always stemmed from the need to support businesses like Prior Power Solutions. We look forward to helping them with the journey towards transitioning to developing cleaner power solutions.”

With an international reputation for high quality design and manufacturing, Prior Power Solutions supplies, services and supports a wide range of equipment including pumps, hydraulics, power gensets and compressors for a breadth of sectors including oil & gas, marine, construction and agriculture. Now in its 40th year it is adapting its business model to also develop and supply electric, hybrid, gas and hydrogen powered products.

Research and development into cleaner diesel Stage V engines, hydrogen fuel cells, electric motors and hybrid power systems combining renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and wind with engine generators is all being undertaken. Further R&D in more new markets is planned for 2021.

“Our team is our strength and with four decades of industry-specific experience, our ambition is to secure our position as a leading global player in the field of alternative power solutions,” says James Rix, Managing Director.

“We see hydrogen as a key component of the future energy mix. Our exciting collaboration with the MFCIC demonstrates our ability as a credible British manufacturer to adapt to and embrace change.”

James is keen to emphasise that the company will continue to support existing diesel engine and oil and gas customers, “We are highly regarded for our well service equipment, diesel engine support and offshore engineering. We will work with our global customers to enable them to easily implement cleaner diesel and alternative power technology as the world moves towards the next generation of clean fuel.”

The Paris Agreement commits to combat climate change. Whilst oil and gas markets will continue, to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future, there is increased need for investment and development with alternative power supplies and sustainable markets such as renewable energy.

Johnathan Reynolds, co-founder of Hydrogen East, a new organisation championing the hydrogen sector in East Anglia, says, “We have an amazing opportunity to utilise our expertise and assets to create a leading hydrogen cluster based around a vibrant local market.

“We have a wide range of dynamic businesses, such as Prior Power Solutions, pushing the boundaries of innovation and demonstration projects in hydrogen and other novel clean energy solutions. It is exciting to see the rapid growth in the sector.”

Prior Diesel Limited was established in 1980 as an extension to George Prior Engineering in Great Yarmouth who carried out repair work on vessels operating in the North Sea. Now owned by HitecVision, Norway’s largest private equity investor, Prior Power Solutions is part of the newly-formed Moreld group of companies under HitecVision’s portfolio representing 3,600 employees globally.

Speaking of the name change, Andreas Marø, EVP Business Development for Moreld says, “We’re excited about the name change which fits very well with our strategic ambition to transform existing knowledge into new markets and being part of the energy transition.”

Stephanie Pimlott, Marketing & Business Manager says, “We have undertaken a total rebrand to secure our position in the global energy market going forward.”

The new logo builds on the original Prior Diesel logo which was in turn a take on the Detroit Diesel Logo – Prior Diesel’s original main product line. “Everything we do involves rotating equipment which the logo represents,” Stephanie points out.

“The change in colours in our logo demonstrate the direction of growth of energy supply and a future sustainable world. Green represents hope, growth and prosperity and blue instilling trust, dependability and security.

“The whole workforce was engaged to help develop our strapline – ‘Power Solutions for a Changing World’. This speaks of our innovation and commitment to developing alternative, greener power solutions for all industries”

Supporting the local economy is important to Prior Power Solutions. “We have used local companies for all aspects of our rebrand,” Stephanie concludes.

Join us as we provide power solutions for a changing world on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Motive Offshore Reports Half Year Success â€“ Positive Activity Ahead

Tuesday, 8th September 2020

Motive Offshore Group, specialist in the manufacture, rental and servicing of subsea assets, has reported a successful first half of the year, despite the effects of the global pandemic.

In addition to completion of pre-COVID project awards, the company has won a number of contracts during the past five months which are set to see the Banff-headquartered company end the year on budget.

Recent awards reflect a focus upon the renewable energy sector, particularly for the company’s Fabrication division which previously reported a 155% increase in turnover during 2018/19. Operating on a 24/7 basis since May, the division has completed a total of 46 vessel mobilisations/demobilisations in the last twelve months, worth a total of £665,000. It has also undertaken a number of largescale work scopes, including the production of an active heave compensation winch – a first for Motive – for use within a high-profile offshore wind project and fulfilment of its largest fabrication contract to date, the fast-track manufacture and vessel installation of a 55Te Grillages package.

The company has reported recent success for its Spooling & Inspection division – which has renewed two major framework agreements from its Houston and Port of Blyth bases – and its UAE entity, Motive FZE, which has seen an increased demand for its inspection services, necessitating the recruitment of local technicians. Motive’s Norwegian-based Flexibles division has also announced an umbilical testing contract award for three different scopes from a major subsea contractor, worth £856,000.

The result of upcoming activity, Motive has launched a recruitment drive across several areas of the business, including two technical positions within its Norwegian entity, Pumptech, as well as a business-wide Technology Lead and a graduate position within its successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with the University of Aberdeen. In addition, previous UAE Regional Director, Eddie Moore, has been appointed as Group Business Development Director, a new role for the company.

James Gregg, Motive COO comments: “Despite the initial shock felt across the offshore energy industry earlier this year, Motive has ensured that any ramifications have been mitigated by flexibility and courage, resulting in an exceptionally busy period for our workshops.

“We continue to invest in our people and see this time as an opportunity to focus on and invest in strategic global business development. This includes the creation of a Group Business Development Director role, and the introduction of new technology which will provide client equipment performance data.

“We have also commenced work on a significant project to ensure that every element of our business – from the design and operation of our products, to our travel habits – complies with increasing ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) legislation, which is critical in future-proofing the business.”

Launched in 2010 by James Gregg and Dave Acton, Motive Offshore Group is headquartered in Boyndie, Banff, Scotland, with additional offices in Aberdeen, Houston, Norway and the Middle East.
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Manor Marine announces the completion of their latest Wind Farm Service Vessel Build

Wednesday, 2nd September 2020

Manor Marine is pleased to announce the completion of their latest vessel build for the offshore wind sector, the Manor Endurance for Manor Renewable Energy (MRE).

Established 30 years ago, Manor Marine is a British shipbuilding and marine engineering company based in Portland, Dorset; with comprehensive facilities they build a range of offshore vessels and undertake largescale engineering projects, for both the European and global markets.

The build of the Manor Endurance follows the success of her sister vessel, the Manor Venture, also commissioned for MRE; since her launch in 2017, the Manor Venture has worked on several offshore wind projects including temporary power provision and dive inspection works.

Valued at over £4 million and following a year-long build, the Manor Endurance embraces the use of cutting-edge hybrid technology, whilst maximising accommodation, deck space and cargo / fuel carrying capacity.

The build utilised over 30 skilled personnel from the Manor Marine workforce, with support from numerous local suppliers and contractors; with regard propulsion, she is fitted with state-of-the-art quad IPS 900 units and has been built with both efficiency and safety as paramount.

The naming ceremony of the Manor Endurance took place on Tuesday 25th August at the Manor Marine shipyard in Portland Port, with a visit from Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset and the Mayor of Portland, Sandy West, alongside a traditional blessing of the boat.

The Manor Endurance will be available for long-term charter from Thursday 10th September.

Sharksilver sail to success with ManuplasÂ® fendering

Wednesday, 2nd September 2020

Based in Spain, our customer Sharksilver required fendering systems for two aluminium vessels under construction. Working closely with Sharksilver, our marine team defined and recommended fendering solutions for both vessels that would meet all their specifications and would achieve their demanding lead time of two-weeks to ensure their projects remained on track.

All our fendering is produced bespoke for each vessel that it must be fitted to, this ensures an accurate fit.

For one vessel, we recommended a sprayed PU fendering. Benefits of this solution include:

Lightweight design which reduces fuel consumption and ensures the vessel reaches maximum speeds quickly
Quick and easy to install

The second vessel required rubber fendering. If weight is not and an issue, rubber is a versatile cost effective alternative fendering to sprayed PU. We supplied a D type rubber fender profile, with the capacity to absorb high levels of energy through the presence of a relatively large hollow chamber.

The high energy absorption of both types of fendering will reduce the effect of any impact to the newly constructed vessels. We were delighted to be able support our customer and ensure they achieved their project timelines.

Read more about our fendering solutions here, or to discuss your fendering requirements talk to our marine team.

Month: September 2020

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