The first dredger refit of 2021: The SMS Group refits the Arco Darta in Bristol

Monday, 8th February 2021

A successful start to the year – The SMS Group has started 2021 with a D Class refit on behalf of Hanson Aggregate Marine.

The refit of the ‘Arco Dart’ was completed in a Covid-secure environment inside the footprint of The Bristol Port Company.

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

Its team in Avonmouth, led by Alistair Rockett, routinely focus on the refit of aggregates dredgers.

Refitting between three and four dredgers per annum, the site is perfectly suited to the most demanding alongside repair and refit schedules – with a complimentary workshop.

Hanson Aggregate Marine is Europe’s largest producer of marine-dredged sand and gravel, supplying to a network of wharves in the UK and mainland Europe.

Hanson operates a fleet of purpose-built trailing suction hopper dredgers, which vary in size from 1,300 to 5,500 gross tonnes and are designed to extract sand and gravel from the seabed at depths of up to 50 metres.

The ‘Arco Dart’ was refitted in January. Works included:

shell plate and stiffener renewals and repairs
the manufacture and installation of new life raft frames
modifications to breather pipework
removal and renewal of dredge pipe assemblies
bi-annual hydraulics works
motor rewinds and replacements
renewal of portside mooring bollards
various machining projects
electrical works to the main switchboard
bilge cleanings
various pipeworks.

Other planned and preventative maintenance took place alongside too, resulting in a comprehensive repair schedule.

Alistair Rockett, General Manager for The SMS Group in Avonmouth, said: “The refit was the first of the year for us in Avonmouth, and it was a great, great success.

“Special thanks to Antonios Chatzistefanou from Hanson. He and has team ensured the refit ran very smoothly.

“Given the Covid ‘challenge’ all parties, including Antonios, the crew and the supply chain, genuinely pulled together to complete the refit on time and on budget. It was a pleasure to work for Hanson.”

Tony Body, West Coast Regional Manager for The SMS Group, said: “Creating a Covid-secure environment was key.

“We tested every person prior to vessel attendance, we positioned numerous sanitization stations through-out the vessel, mask-wearing was mandatory, additional mess facilities were procured, and daily Covid questionnaires were completed.

“The expertise in Covid-secure ship repair, that we’ve learnt as a business in the Defence and Cruise sectors, transferred to this refit very well.
“We finished off by bio-fogging the vessel pre-handover”.

‘Arco Dart’: 68m LOA, 13m beam, 4m draft, and is registered in SMS’s homeport of Southampton.

The PCE-GA 10 from PCE Instruments – a compact leak detector for combustible gases

Monday, 8th February 2021

The PCE-GA 10 leak detector was developed to detect and locate escaping flammable gases in systems, containers and pipes. The gas detection sensor head can be brought close to the examined parts even in confined spaces as it is connected to the device via a semi-rigid 500 mm long gooseneck supply cable.

The sensor by PCE Instruments UK LTD detects the following combustible gases:

Ammonia, benzene, ethane, ethanol, ethylene, formaldehyde, hexane, ISO butane, methane, propane, P-xylene, hydrogen sulphide, toluene and hydrogen and flammable compounds of these substances.

The hand-held device shows the presence and concentration of these flammable gases via five red LED bars arranged one above the other. In addition, audible and vibration alarms can be activated via the keys. Users are thus warned even if they cannot constantly look at the meter due to the conditions on site.

The PCE-GA 10 can be switched from high to low sensitivity and indicates the sensitivity selection by the left or right triangular LED. After switching on the leak detector in an uncontaminated area and when the automatic calibration is finished, it is recommended to search with high sensitivity first in order to be able to detect low concentrations. When flammable gases are detected, it is possible to switch to low sensitivity when the concentration is high, so that the location where the gas leaks can be narrowed down further.

The PCE-GA 10 works with a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged with the included charger. The sensor has a limited shelf life but can be easily replaced. Both the need to recharge the battery and to replace the sensor are indicated by the meter via warning lights.

Here is a brief description of the leak detector PCE-GA 10:

Mobile leak detector for combustible gases
Approx. 500 mm semi-flexible sensor cable
Optical alarm via red LEDs
Acoustic alarm up to 85 dB
Vibration alarm
Quick response time
Adjustable sensitivity
Automatic calibration
Interchangeable sensor
With mains adaptor for the rechargeable battery

The compact and easy-to-use gas leak detector PCE-GA 10 enables the simple and quick detection of many combustible gases. It can therefore be used in companies as well as in private areas. The gas detector warns of gas accumulations in buildings, on vehicles and machines and on systems and equipment where flammable gases can escape. Danger can thus be detected in time and appropriate countermeasures can be taken.

More information can be found here:

https://www.pce-instruments.com/english/measuring-instruments/test-meters/leak-detector-kat_41789.htm

DLM Develops Impressive Product Portfolio for the Cable Laying Industry

Thursday, 4th February 2021

DLM are excited to announce their new partnership with Dunlop as an official global distributor of the 18’’ Dunlop Tyre, commonly utilised by the Cable Laying Industry.

With DLM already having a comprehensive portfolio of products and equipment for the Marine and Offshore industries such as load monitoring, the addition of the 18’’ Dunlop Tyre provides an opportunity for customers to purchase these items from stock.

Dynamic Load Monitoring UK (Ltd) are specialists in the Marine and Offshore industries, as well as Offshore Wind, Oil & Gas, and Lifting & Rigging sectors. DLM can offer a key ‘one stop shop service’ to Offshore Cable Laying companies needing to mobilise quickly for impending projects. Consequently, the new partnership with Dunlop Aircraft Tyres will strengthen DLM’s ability to provide a world leading service to the Cable Laying Industry.

Clayton Redhead, the Director of Global Business Development for Dunlop’s Aircraft Tyre division says, “Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Limited (DATL) is pleased to announce our distribution partnership with DLM to utilise our 18” aircraft tyre for cable laying applications. This is a tyre with high load capacity due to its aircraft design characteristics and has been identified by DLM as being a perfect solution for the high demands of the cable laying environment. DATL believes DLM to be a perfect route to market solution for this product with their wealth of knowledge and valued customer base in the cable laying industry”.

Furthermore, DLM’s Global Business Development Manager, Jamie Woodcock adds, “We are very pleased to be working with Dunlop officially and privileged that they have selected DLM to support their sales. This particular product is seen as the market leader and we have sold hundreds in the past, for use on LCE’s (Linear Cable Engines). With Dunlop’s support and our well established customer network, we are looking forward to increasing the usage of these tyres globally, within the cable laying industry. The renewables market is very buoyant at the moment, with huge growth potential into the future. DLM are well positioned to continue to be a key equipment supplier to support this growing industry’’.

If you would like to find out more information regarding this editorial, please contact our Global Business Development Manager, Jamie Woodcock.

DSB Offshore Ltd delivers dredgers to West Africa

Wednesday, 3rd February 2021

DSB Offshore Ltd has recently sold a number of dredgers for work in West Africa.

2020 was an apocalyptic, zoom-intensive, stay-at-home year for DSB Offshore Ltd. As with much of the marine world, with crew changes hampered, flights unreliable and inspections impossible (not to mention Brexit looming) 2020 proved to be a disruptive and challenging year in business.

But all stories need a happy ending, and 2020 ended well. In the final months of the year, business picked up and we saw some long, difficult sales finally go over the line.

We are pleased to have sold a number of dredgers on to new owners in West Africa.

Nigeria

As the European dredging majors take delivery of ever more efficient, ecological and powerful newbuild dredgers, the trend has been for them to dispose of their older, smaller dredgers. This period of fleet renewal is now tapering off, and a number of these units have now been sold to West Africa to be operated by small, locally positioned companies with limited fleets.

Due to the wealth of a burgeoning middle class in Nigeria, fueled by petro-dollars, the demand for prime land on the Lagos Lagoon is on the rise. This has resulted in the need for capital dredging campaigns and land reclamation projects in the area.

In July 2020 we concluded the sale of CSD, ‘Dirk Martens’ to a local dredging company in Nigeria. Built in 1972, at IHC Rees De Klop, Netherlands, she is a 58.8m LOA cutter with a 700mm discharge pipe diameter, 370kW cutter power and 19.5m dredge depth (total installed power: 2,370kW).

She is at work in the Lagos Lagoon, performing capital dredging and land reclamation.

Oil Fields

In the Forcados region of Nigeria, the recent development of new oil fields has brought with it the requirement for new marine infrastructure. In such, DSB has also sold 2 TSHDs to a Nigerian oil company, who have bought, in quite quick succession, trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers ‘Galilei 2000’ and ‘Orwell’ for dredging projects of their own on the Forcados River.

‘Galilei 2000’, 1979 built, 87.4 LOA, 2,339m3 TSHD was sold via DSB in 2018. The Buyers then approached DSB in 2020, looking for another TSHD to add to their fleet. So, in December 2020 we concluded the sale to them of 1987 built, ‘Orwell’.

‘Orwell’ was built in Fulton Marine Ruisbroe, Belgium and is a 93.21m LOA, single trailer TSHD. She has a 2,575m3 hopper capacity, is equipped with pump ashore, bottom dump, rainbow discharge type, and has a 27m dredge depth. She has also now arrived safely in Nigeria and is at work on the Forcados River.

The sale of ‘Dirk Martens’, ‘Gallilei 2000’ and ‘Orwell’ follow on from our earlier sale of ex Jan De Nul Group TSHD, ‘James Ensor’ to Latvian buyers in 2018, also for work in Nigeria.

‘James Ensor’ is a 112.52m LOA, 1980 built in Hemisksem, Belgium is a double trailer with hopper capacity of 3,600m3, 700mm diameter discharge pipe and 30m dredge depth. She is also involved in maintenance dredging in the Lagos Channel.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Finally, in November 2020, after successfully concluding the sale of 4,000m3 maintenance hopper dredger, ‘Manzanillo II’, DSB directors were pleased to be able to attend the official welcome and naming ceremony for the vessel in person at the Port of Boma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There she will be carrying out essential work, keeping the great Congo River open and deep enough for large cargo vessels to move through the channel, to deliver their cargo at Matadi, an essential trade port of the DRC.

DSB Offshore Ltd are delighted to be pushing more into the African market.

TSHD Manzanillo II Jubilation on the Congo River

Wednesday, 3rd February 2021

TSHD sold to the DRC

DSB Offshore Ltd recently acted as exclusive ship broker to Jan De Nul Group, in the sale of one the ‘great ladies’ of her dredging fleet, to Congolaise des Voies Maritimes (CVM) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was therefore a great honour for the Directors of DSB Offshore Ltd, to attend the official handover ceremony, on 2nd December 2020, in the Port of Boma, for the much anticipated arrival of CVM’s new dredger.

‘Manzanillo II’ (still to be named officially by CVM), and described by the Congolaise in one speech, as “gigantesque” (being far bigger that any dredger they have had working on the Congo River before), is a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) of 114m LOA, with a 4,000 m³ hopper capacity, an impressive total installed power of 14,000 kilowatts, and accommodation on board for 50 crew members.

Great Lady of the River Congo

This great lady, built in Saint-Nazaire, France in 1988, for the then Mexican National Dredging Company, has had an interesting history and impressive service record.

She began her career in Mexico, doing maintenance dredging for several Mexican ports, on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Then, in 1995, after the partial privatisation of the Mexican national dredging company, she was purchased by dredging major, Jan De Nul.

With Jan De Nul, she launched a truly international career spanning Africa, Europe and America. Her glittering Curriculum Vitae includes maintenance and deepening campaigns in the Port of Bahia Blanca, and the Rio Parana between Buenos Aires and Santa Fe in Argentina; Port Said in Egypt; the Ems River in Germany; the Port of Leixaos in Portugal, Cadiz in Spain; the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania and other campaigns in Antwerp, Ostend and Zeebrugge to name but a few.

Right up until she set sail for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) she was still in full operation despite her age, and she reached the Congo River – probably her most far flung destination – in top form and ready to serve the Congolaise des Voies Maritimes (CVM), and the people of the DRC in Boma and Matadi.

CVM and the Congolaise crew will take over the maintenance of the DRC’s critical ports using ‘Manzanillo II’. The Congo River is of crucial economic importance to the Congolaise, and ensuring that the river is navigable is a full time job. Having their own dredger frees up the CVM to choose its own priorities, and they will no longer be dependant on other dredging contractors.

The atmosphere was jubilant on the 2nd December, filled with colour, with dancing, with cheering crowds (even masks embossed with an image of the vessel were made for the occasion and worn with pride). Attended by the Prime Minister, Mr. Sylvestre Llunga Llunkamba, several ministers, dignitaries and locals, it was a special day.

And all the time, ‘Manzanillo II’, their great ‘new’ lady of the river watched over them.

Offshore wind kudos for DuroWipers – Marine Windscreen Wipers

Wednesday, 3rd February 2021

A British crew transfer vessel operator has kitted out its latest CTV with DuroWiper Pantographs commercial marine windscreen wipers in order to benefit from their ease of installation and reduced maintenance.

Manor Renewable Energy Ltd took delivery of the Manor Endurance offshore support vessel in September and since then its six Class 90 pantograph units (three front and three rear) have been put to the test at Scottish Power’s East Anglia ONE offshore windfarm.

“Our unique selling point as a CTV operator is that we provide accommodation for the crew 24/7 on the wind farm without the need for a mothership,” said Michael James, Marine Superintendent at Manor Renewable Energy Ltd.

“So every part of the vessel, including the equipment, has to stand up to being based offshore. We have had no problems with the DuroWiper pantographs. They were the right product for us, we could mount them externally, there is a washer system integrated into the arm and they are easy to install. They ticked all the right boxes.”

Lessons learnt

Mr James explained that they had learnt lessons from the build of Manor Endurance’s sister vessel, Manor Venture, back in 2017.

Both vessels were built over a year at the Manor Marine shipyard in Portland, Dorset. They both embrace the use of cutting-edge technology, whilst maximising crew accommodation, deck space and cargo carrying capacity. But they have been kitted out differently. This, according to Mr James, is because valuable lessons were learned from the build and kit out of the first vessel, including what was required from the wiper systems.

“The Manor Venture has internally fitted wiper systems which meant that we had to fabricate hosing inside the vessel to contain the systems which involved a lot of time and effort. The wiper systems had no integral wash system and we have had to replace the wiper panels more than once since installation,” he said. “DuroWiper pantographs on the new vessel have solved these issues.”

With the East Anglia ONE contract now coming to an end, Manor Endurance will head off to work at another windfarm project in early 2021.

Solid reputation

Manor Renewable Energy Ltd has some new builds coming up in 2021/22 and Mr James said that DuroWiper pantographs would definitely be considered for future use. This is provided that they perform well at Manor Endurance’s service next year.

DuroWipers offers extended and lifetime warranties for its wiper systems which both the RNLI and the UK Royal Navy have previously taken advantage of. The Class 90 utilises the 80Nm Bosch motor with a considerably smaller transfer box than the Class 80, for applications where space is limited.

DuroWipers has an impressive client list. The company is probably best known for equipping all RNLI Shannon lifeboats since 2012.

Marine Windscreen Wipers by DuroWipers

High-performance marine windscreen wipers are indispensable components for boats and ships, particularly in adverse sea conditions. Engineered with advanced technology and durable materials, these wipers play a pivotal role in maintaining clear visibility for marine vessels, contributing significantly to safety and operational efficiency.

In heavy sea conditions, vessels often encounter challenges like torrential rain, sea spray, and turbulent waves that can obstruct visibility. High-performance marine windscreen wipers efficiently sweep away water, salt residue, and debris, ensuring that the captain and crew can navigate with a clear line of sight. This is crucial for avoiding collisions, navigating through crowded waters, and responding promptly to changing maritime conditions.

These wipers are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment, including exposure to corrosive saltwater and extreme weather conditions. Equipped with features such as adjustable speeds, multiple blade options, and robust construction, they ensure reliable performance even in the most demanding circumstances. The durability and functionality of high-performance marine wipers enhance the overall safety and effectiveness of maritime operations, making them an essential component for seafaring vessels, especially when confronting the challenges posed by heavy sea conditions.

SIC Marking UK now have Record working dimensions with the new XXL-Box laser marking enclosure

Wednesday, 3rd February 2021

“After the huge success of the L-BOX and XL-BOX, our compact marking stations, we have been asked on numerous occasions to offer a larger workspace in order to be able to mark large parts. “These are the words of Eric B. Marketing and Sales Director at SIC MARKING, world leader in industrial traceability, to justify the launch of the new XXL-BOX Laser Marking Station.

Available in 3 basic sizes at a very competitive price, the XXL-BOX perfectly complements SIC MARKING’s laser workstation wide range of products , which makes it possible to meet all customer requirements in terms of cabinet size.

As its name indicates, the new XXL-BOX station offers record working dimensions (up to 520 mm high) as well as great modularity thanks to its 3 standard models (800, 1200 and 1600 mm wide) and its numerous accessories. The strength of this new product also lies in its ability to adapt perfectly to different customer requirements, illustrating SIC MARKING’s extensive know-how in the realisation of tailor-made solutions:

“The XXL-BOX is ideally suited for the classic use of its large working volume, but also enables the project manager at SIC MARKING to offer tailor-made solutions for more complex large-volume marking applications. As Project Manager, Nicolas E. highlights the flexibility of this new product through a large number of accessories. “Automatic three-dimensional axis, automatic loading system, loading drawer or turntable are just a few examples of the applications proposed by our technical teams to meet our customers’ needs”.

Requested by a large number of customers, the new XXL-Box Laser Marking Station has met great success with ETIs and large companies manufacturing large parts or sub-assemblies such as shafts, valve or pump bodies, crankcase, exhaust components but also bodywork sub-assemblies. It is not surprising to find it in the sectors in which SIC MARKING is already active: Automotive, Aeronautics, Industrial Vehicles, Hydraulics, Oil & Gas…

As a result, the international French group had the opportunity to prove all the qualities of its new product by taking up the challenge offered by ZF, a major German automotive supplier. The company wanted to mark a Datamatrix code on gearbox prototypes. The solution provided was an XXL-BOX laser marking station, with a 5-axis laser that made it possible to achieve a marking window of 900 x 500 x 500 mm. The project was the result of technical and commercial cooperation between the headquarters and SIC MARKING GMBH (the group’s German subsidiary) and highlighted the great adaptability of this new product to customised requests.

Month: February 2021

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