Hermes Award 2021: Bosch Rexroth is electrifying the process industry

Tuesday, 13th April 2021

Lohr am Main/Hanover – In recognition of its contribution towards greater sustainability, Bosch Rexroth’s SVA R2, the world’s most compact electrical Subsea Valve Actuator, received the Hermes Award 2021, the greatest international industry prize, at the Hanover Trade Fair.

The disruptive innovation is helping to significantly reduce not only CO2emissions from process systems but also environmental risks. The SVA R2 marine submersible is also suitable for use in future process systems, to produce green hydrogen and for carbon capture and storage applications.

“When it comes to sustainability, innovations play a crucial role in achieving disruptive progress. With the SVA R2, Bosch Rexroth offers a completely new solution for the process industry. For the first time ever, users can replace conventional hydraulic cylinders with electrical actuators with field-proven safety systems and take up no extra space,” said Thomas Fechner, Senior Vice President of Product Area New Business at Bosch Rexroth.

The SVA R2 Subsea Valve Actuator opens and closes valves in process systems. Up until now, this task was usually performed in subsea factories by hydraulic cylinders which had to be supplied by hydraulic lines several kilometers in length. Previous attempts to replace them with electrical actuators failed because they required more space, the emergency power supply using batteries was too expensive and it was not possible to integrate field-proven safety systems.

A team of developers at Bosch Rexroth rose to these challenges with a disruptive innovation. For the first time ever, the SVA R2 Subsea Valve Actuator combines an electrical drive, field-proven safety systems and a motion control system and takes up no more space than the hydraulic cylinders normally used. The module is designed for subsea use at depths of up to 4,000 meters.

Agile development methods for futuristic applications

The electrification of the actuators significantly improves the CO2 footprint of process systems. After all, the hydraulic pipes with several kilometers in length along with the central hydraulic power unit are no longer required. The currently available power supply for sensors can be utilized in addition to power the actuators. With a space-saving design, the safety systems which have proven themselves in hydraulic cylinders for decades, could now be integrated what was not possible in all previous approaches. In addition, the motion control system allows the operating states to be monitored. This condition monitoring further increases safety in delicate ecosystems.

The Subsea Valve Actuator team at Bosch Rexroth uses agile development methods and works closely with operators, suppliers and international universities. One of the first intended applications is the electrification of subsea production facilities for energy production.

Thanks to the Subsea Valve Actuator SVA R2, the procurement and operating costs for these facilities are lower and they are more energy-efficient and safer than ever before. Other areas of use include future process systems for the production of green hydrogen, where, for example, offshore wind energy plants generate renewable energy and hydrogen on site, which is then transported ashore via pipelines. The actuator also plays a role in the initial plans to use carbon capture and storage to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it underwater in previous subsea production facilities.

Bosch Rexroth tests the full-scale prototypes on a specially built test bench in accordance with the most stringent international standards for subsea applications.

Compared to other applications, they lay down the very highest requirements in regards to the functions and safety of the components and modules used. The first pilot tests are due to start in the third quarter of 2021.

DSB Offshore: 1981 to 2021 â€“ 40 Years And Still Going Strong

Tuesday, 13th April 2021

When David Durnford-Slater and Johnny Buxton (the ‘D-S’ and ‘B’ of DSB) launched DSB Offshore in January 1981, they did so with some trepidation. Whilst the oil price was at its peak and the masses expectantly awaited the Royal Wedding, there was also job uncertainty, social unrest and political tensions with the IRA featuring prominently in the UK headlines.

Psychologist Carl Jung once commented “Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.”

As DSB celebrates its ruby anniversary, we reflect on how the last 4 decades of ‘research’ have taught us the values of niche specialisation, strong relationships and flexibility.

From Oil & Gas to Marine Civils and beyond – diverse yet specialist

The DSB venture began as a consultancy in the Oil & Gas Industry with David working out of his family home (pre-teen children under foot). Within a few months they turned their hands to brokering the sale and charter of drilling jack-ups and semisubmersibles.

With the crash of the oil price in 1986, DSB transitioned from O&G via jack-ups, into the world of marine civils.

This brought with it glamorous European bridge and tunnel projects, such as the Second Severn Crossing (Bristol – 1992-1996), the Vasco da Gama Bridge (Lisbon – 1995-1998) and the Sundlink and Oresund Tunnel (between Copenhagen and Malmo – 1995-2000).

Jack-ups, the key piece of equipment in these projects, also took DSB into port construction (particularly LNG terminals), and renewable energy. Indeed, in 2003 DSB had the privilege of providing most of the marine plant for the North Hoyle project, Wales’ very first offshore windfarm and the UK’s first major offshore renewable power project.

Through our work in marine civils, and strengthened by the acquisition of Yarmouth Shipping in 2006, DSB established its position as ship brokers of port tugs and support vessels such as workboats, splitbarges, floating cranes and flattop barges. And in the latter years, dredging and trans-shipment have become key focuses.

Curiosity about cultures and love for languages runs deep in the Durnford-Slater family. So it’s no surprise that DSB is a distinctly international brokerage.

Despite delving into diverse markets, DSB shipbrokers remain specialists. Thus, over the years they have found themselves working closely with multinational majors in their sectors – such as Shell (O&G), Bouygues (Construction) and Jan De Nul (Dredging).

David Durnford-Slater would often jokingly refer to the company as the “odds and sods” brokers of the marine industry. Our vessels are often difficult to categorise, few in number and rarely to be found on standard shipping databases. You cannot, for instance, pop a dredger in your Amazon basket!

Thus, when asked at a dinner party, ‘So what do you do?’, the answer will often receive a puzzled look or the subject is quickly changed!

A Family Affair

DSB is first and foremost a family company.

When in 1999 the ‘B’ in ‘DSB’ retired, David’s son, Roland joined the crew fresh from several years living in Russia.

Then in 2015, after 15 years working side by side, David Durnford-Slater retired and Roland took the helm. (David still reads emails and regularly brings his perspective to bear on thorny shipbroking questions).

The family business model places emphasis on training, development and nurturing long term relationships both within the company, and with clients.

Several eager young brokers, some of whom had had no previous marine experience, ‘grew up’ in the DSB ‘family’ and have since become, competent, specialist brokers.

Some have remained with us. Others have spread their wings – indeed one gaining fame in the national press for having recently circumnavigated the globe single-handed in a 28foot yacht (Thom D’Arcy, we look forward to reading your book)!

DSB Embraces Change

According to JP Morgan, the ability to weather change and compete over decades—and longer—is a primary metric for the success of any business.

As a small brokerage, DSB is able to respond quickly to fluctuating markets – on occasions modifying market emphasis, diversifying vessel specialisms and changing geographical focus (E.g. The Caspian in the 2000’s and now Africa), whilst maintaining core specialisms and values.

The workplace too, has changed over the last 40 years.

In the 1980’s business meant legwork, telexes, faxes, wet signatures and in-person meetings.

Then came the information boom of the nineties and the noughties and the opening up of the Russian market.

DSB has faced, been challenged by, and adapted to changes in office politics, ISO standards, to sanctions and embargos in different parts of the world, to changes in banking such as increased KYC requirements and to new virtual technology.

David was once heard to announce, rather sceptically, “Websites will never take off!”

In time, though, DSB has learnt to balance the efficiencies of marketing by website and social media, with real human interaction with our clients.

Then came 2020! Brexit was upon us and the COVID pandemic ground down our sectors.

As for many others in the shipping world, this brought with it a huge shake-up for DSB.

Our shipbrokers now all work from home (once again with small children underfoot!). We’ve swapped our cumbersome desktops for laptops and moved data onto ‘the Cloud’.

If anything, DSB is leaner and nimbler than ever before.

‘Big Toys for Big Boys’

Our Work is fundamentally interesting. We participate in awe-inspiring engineering projects all over the world.

Every enquiry is different, every project a challenge.

Every day we operate in the ‘big toys for big boys’ realm, and we love it!

We could bore you with 40 years worth of stories. But here are some of the more unusual enquiries that have come our way: Iceberg watching in the Arctic (BBC); transport of Noah’s Ark (lifesize replica, of course!); towage of bags containing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fresh water from Turkey to Israel; tankers for transporting faecal water in the Caspian; transport of Zeppelins in dock vessels; barges to land parts of space rockets; barges for yacht parties in the Adriatic; vessels for supporting deep sea mining; moveable Heliports for the Thames; rescue vessels for refugees in the Med; breaking ice in the Caspian Sea; frontline floating accommodation for British troops; vessel for torpedo testing range; huge barges as platforms for offshore floating power plants; hovercraft; de-licing vessels for Scottish salmon farms and walking jack-ups for diamond mining in Namibia.

It’s an extraordinary privilege to work in this industry with all its ups and downs and shifting horizons.

We’re proud to still be in business after 40 years.

We look ahead with great optimis

Oi Connect Platform Training Webinar

Thursday, 8th April 2021

The team behind Oceanology International are putting together the final touches to Oi Connect – the leading digital meetings platform for the ocean tech and science community.

Mike Enser the Marketing Manager for Oi Connect said ‘We’re committed to ensuring all stake holders have the best experience possible and as such we have offered exhibitors and potential exhibitors the opportunity to get to grips with Oi Connect platform through a webinar ( click here to view more ), and now we’re offering visitors the same free service’.

Oi Connect will bring together the ocean tech and science community for the second time in six months. Ralph Rayner, former President of the Society for Underwater Technology, commented on the 2020 edition: “2020 has presented its challenges to the world and the ocean science and technology community. However, I was delighted with how Oi Connect managed to bring so many of the community together. The Oi Connect platform saw many hundreds of meetings and, conference hours delivered. Good business has been conducted and new relationships formed. In lieu of a face-to-face event, Oi Connect really delivered for the ocean science and technology community.”

The Oi Connect team are looking to replicate the success for its second edition in May 11th – 14th.
David Ince – Event Director said ‘we’re keen that all visitors are given the best experience possible at Oi Connect and, by offering a free webinar training session for our customers we think that we will encourage a higher quality experience for both visitors and exhibitors’.

The webinar will on 22nd April at 1400 BST. The platform will Zoom and the webinar will include a Q&A with the team.

Register for your place: Click Here:

A JFC Marine Data Buoy is to monitor how noise impacts whales and dolphins was deployed off the coast of Baltimore, west Cork

Wednesday, 7th April 2021

A JFC Marine Data Buoy was deployed off the coast of Baltimore, west Cork, to monitor how noise impacts whales and dolphins as part of Ireland’s first-ever real-time acoustic monitoring project.

This specially designed Data Buoy, sited some 9 km off the coast of Baltimore, will gather data for this project over the next year. The Smart Whale Sounds project is being undertaken by Ocean Research and Conservation Association (ORCA) Ireland, a non-profit organisation based in Cork, in partnership with Rainforest Connection and supported by Huawei Ireland.

Lead researcher Emer Keaveney of ORCA Ireland, who is a marine mammal ecologist, said: “Increased levels of marine traffic from container ships, pleasure boats, speedboats, and eco-tour operators has created a significant noise pollution issue. According to Ms Keaveney “Sound pollution causes as much damage to marine life as overfishing, pollution and climate change, and is believed to cause behavioural changes that interfere with the health and survival of the animals.” An autonomous hydrophone, similar to an underwater microphone will be attached to the buoy. The researchers said it will record whale species in real time and train sophisticated machine learning models to identify different species calls. The data will be used to create a marine wildlife detection and classification model, which has the potential to be applied to other projects across the globe, they added. They said it will assist with identifying and classifying species in Irish waters, their distribution and behaviour, and how noise pollution is changing these patterns.

With over 30 years of experience in business at JFC Marine, our solutions are derived from customer understanding, innovative design, and expert engineering. Our marine division specialises in the engineering, design, and manufacturing of a comprehensive range of polyethene Navigation Buoys, which are designed to offer easy installation and provide a low-maintenance-cost solution to marine navigation.

The Navigation buoys range from Ø600mm to Ø3000mm in diameter and are supplied with a range of solar powered Marine Lanterns to suit all requirements. Lanterns are available with Monitoring and Control system, AIS, GSM & Satellite communications.

We offer a complete range of Data Buoy platforms up to Ø3000mm in diameter, which is suitable for a wide range of monitoring at sea, including Wave monitoring (Height and Direction), Environmental Monitoring (Turbidity/Hydrocarbon etc.), and Meteorological Monitoring (Wind speed & direction, Humidity etc.). JFC Marine Data/Met Buoy provides essential meteorological and oceanographic observations for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings, as well as data for researchers and the general public. We also offer a variety of Mooring Buoys suitable for mooring vessels at sea.

Members of IALA, our navigation and communication buoys and lanterns are manufactured in accordance with IALA guidelines. Designed for use for both inshore and offshore applications our modular designed buoys are designed and manufactured for the most demanding conditions using superior quality materials offering excellent stability characteristics, power system versatility, and environmental credentials.

For further information on JFC Marine see www.jfcmarine.com

PDL Marine have completed the multi build patrol boats destined for Africa

Wednesday, 7th April 2021

PDL Marine Completes Multi-Build Patrol Boat Project for Africa

PDL Marine has completed the construction of six 10-metre patrol boats, destined for operations in Africa. These state-of-the-art vessels, designed primarily for harbour patrol duties, have undergone rigorous final sea trials in the Solent and surrounding waters, ensuring they meet all operational and performance requirements before delivery.

Each patrol boat has been engineered to perform effectively in demanding maritime environments. While they are designed for patrolling harbours, their robust construction and advanced design enable them to operate in adverse conditions when required. The vessels can reach speeds of up to 35 knots, providing rapid response capabilities when needed. Additionally, they are designed to accommodate a crew of up to four personnel, ensuring sufficient manpower for various operational tasks.

Delivering High-Performance Patrol Vessels

PDL Marine has a well-earned reputation for designing and manufacturing high-performance vessels, and this latest project further reinforces their standing in the industry. The completion of the multi-build project is a testament to the company’s expertise in delivering quality, reliability, and performance in the field of specialist marine engineering.

Philip Lovegrove, Managing Director of PDL Marine, expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating:

“It was a pleasure to have this contract and build six vessels for the client. I am sure they will enjoy operating the boats as much as we enjoyed building them.”

This statement underscores PDL Marine’s commitment to providing bespoke, high-performance solutions tailored to the specific needs of their clients.

Final Preparations and Delivery

Before their departure, the patrol boats underwent a series of trials and inspections to ensure they met the highest standards of performance, durability, and safety. These final tests in the Solent and surrounding waters allowed engineers to verify that each vessel performed as expected under real-world conditions.

With all trials successfully completed, the boats are now ready for transportation to their final destination. The six vessels will be transported by road to Tilbury Docks, where they will be prepared for overseas shipment next week. Once they arrive in Africa, they will be deployed for their intended patrolling duties, playing a crucial role in maritime security, law enforcement, and harbour protection.

A Commitment to Excellence in Marine Engineering

PDL Marine has once again demonstrated its capability to produce cutting-edge maritime solutions. The successful completion of this multi-build patrol boat contract showcases the company’s ability to deliver high-quality, performance-driven vessels on time and to specification.

With a focus on precision engineering, innovative design, and customer satisfaction, PDL Marine remains a leading force in the maritime sector, continuing to provide reliable and efficient solutions for clients across the globe.

Global Lifting Specialist Eyes Cross-Sector Growth – Appoints New General Manager

Wednesday, 7th April 2021

Global integrated logistics and materials management company, ASCO, has appointed Craig Revie as General Manager of its specialist lifting division, NSL.

Joining ASCO in 2018 as head of Marine Services, Craig led initiatives in vessel monitoring, marine coordination and vessel sharing, before taking on the role of UK Business Development and Energy Transition Manager.

His expertise in cross-sector market development and growth will be applied to his latest role as he builds upon NSL’s 30+ years of lifting expertise, guidance and competency development.

With facilities in Aberdeen and Houston dedicated to making lifting operations safer, more compliant, and more cost-effective, NSL currently services an international client base. It provides specialist technical assurance and assistance, as well as integrated project and on-site operational support across the UK, Caribbean, West and North Africa, and the Middle East.

Commenting on his appointment, Craig said: “This is an exciting time to take the reins at NSL and in addition to developing our global footprint, I am particularly looking forward to growing our North Sea client base, at such a pivotal time for the UK offshore energy industry.

“Our cross-sector expertise in managing risk while delivering cost-effective, practical lifting solutions ranges from individual assessments and procedure development, to the provision of on-site specialists, technical assistance and practical training courses. All are of specific value to our clients at this time of unprecedented industry restructure and transition.”

ASCO CEO Peter France added: “NSL quite literally wrote the handbook for safe and industry-assured lifting services, and we are delighted to have Craig leading our team of Lifting Technical Authorities and Technical Specialists as they provide the complete safety lifting package to the offshore oil & gas industry and wider energy transition sectors.”

3t Energy Group makes Transformational Acquisition with the Purchase of Petrofacs UK in-person Training Business

Thursday, 1st April 2021

Today, 3t Energy Group can announce that it has made a major transformational acquisition with the purchase of Petrofac’s UK training centres. The purchase includes Petrofac’s Survival and Marine, Health and Safety, Fire, and Major Emergency Management capability and facilities in Scotland. The value of the acquisition is undisclosed.

The purchase adds Marine training and further Major Emergency Management capabilities to the Group, extending its capability to service customers’ needs. 3t Energy will now become a supplier to Petrofac for its in-person UK training requirements, which consolidates it as the UK’s largest provider of global energy training services.

The purchase of Petrofac’s UK training centres adds to 3t Energy’s existing training centres in the UK, and compliments the Group’s state-of-the-art digital learning and workforce development technology, 3t Transform.

3t Energy Group is backed by Blue Water Energy, the specialist private equity firm. The purchase by 3t Energy is the Group’s fourth acquisition in three years, adding to its world-renowned group of advanced training businesses:

3t Transform (Learning technology & workforce development solutions)
Survivex and AIS (in-person, technology-enabled training for onshore, offshore, renewable & industrial markets)
Drilling Systems (Software based drilling simulation)

Kevin Franklin, CEO of 3t Energy Group, says: “Buying Petrofac’s UK in-person training presence was an excellent opportunity that we had to explore. It allows us to extend our customer offering and demonstrates our commitment to providing the very best training to the energy industry.”

He continues, “We’re proud that our state-of-the-art training makes our clients’ businesses safer, more efficient and more profitable. With Petrofac’s strong training pedigree and world-class staff, the acquisition both broadens and strengthens our market leading offer.”

Mark Corrigan, Chairman of 3t Energy Group, says: “This is a strategic acquisition for 3t Energy which will have a transformational impact on the Group. The deal expands our portfolio of services and our training now reaches most parts of the energy eco-system, including the fast-growing renewables sector.

The deal also perfectly complements our market-leading digital learning and workforce development technology, which is 3t Transform.

As we all hope the world returns to some normality after a tumultuous 2020, we believe there will be a huge opportunity for us to grow our business further as companies and individuals focus on upskilling and core competencies to meet the challenges of the post pandemic economy. This acquisition reinforces our capabilities as a leader in the sector.”

Month: April 2021

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