Amer Shipping orders two dry cargo vessels from Concordia Damen

Monday, 30th January 2023

Amer Shipping orders two dry cargo vessels from Concordia Damen

Inland shipping construction yard Concordia Damen will deliver two ‘CDS Dry Cargo 110’ vessels to Amer Shipping. Sustainability considerations and the hull shape of this in-house developed ship type were the deciding factors, partly because it allows skippers to sail longer at (very) low water levels, which is predicted to occur often in the coming years.

Amer Shipping a already has a fleet of 57 vessels, including owned tankers, dry cargo and container vessels as well as associated ships.

The company transports approximately 8 million tons of cargo per year, mainly raw materials for construction projects and project cargo for various industries.

Amer Shipping is mainly active in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland and is now expanding and adapting its fleet to put its sustainability commitment into practice.

Inland shipping entrepreneur Peter Buijks, co-owner of Amer Shipping, says: “We have been working on making our daily operations more sustainable for some time now. New ships must match this effort. These two bulk carriers are based on Concordia Damen’s Parsifal tankers and a lot of research has been done on them, such as speed versus fuel consumption, resistance and future adaptability. For example, we’ll install Stage V engines and shaft generators.

Our customers are increasingly looking at their CO2 emissions. In order to continue to serve them well, we are developing ourselves along with this trend and are looking at various options to reduce our footprint. These ships fit in well with goal.”

CDS Dry Cargo 110

This ship type measures 110 x 11.45 meters and can transport a lot of tonnage at a low draft, which is especially beneficial at low tide and shallow water levels. In addition, the ship has a relatively small footprint, because it can sail faster with lower fuel consumption due to its low resistance. “The design of the lower section is the same as that of our Parsifal Tankers,” says Pieter Baggerman, Naval Architect at Concordia Damen. “That type has an optimized hull shape. It works really well and so we have applied the same design principles to our container and bulk carriers and with the same results.”

That was also decisive in the choice that Amer Shipping made for their newbuilds. Peter Buijks: “The CDS Dry Cargo 110 transports no less than 200 tons more cargo compared to an existing ‘110’ in our fleet. At the same time, fuel consumption and emissions are reduced due to the low resistance. In addition, we can continue sailing with it for longer periods in water levels of 1.15 meters, although the ship is of course not fully loaded in those circumstances. That gave us the confidence to contract these vessels. Moreover, in Germany there are not only draft restrictions, but also many waterways spanned by low bridges. Due to the favourable air draught of these ships, we can sail under bridges of 4.30 meters with a draft of 2.50 metres. This way we can continue to do business in a responsible manner in different circumstances.”

Baggerman: “Both family businesses have known each other for a long time. We are very grateful to welcome Amer Shipping and the Buijks family as a new customer! The favourable ‘speed-power curve’ created by the hull shape and the fact that the design leaves room for adjustments based on the customer’s wishes, makes for a good business case. This also applies to the type of propulsion: you can adjust that quite easily at a later stage if market developments or regulations require it. And what was really important to Amer Shipping: short delivery times. Since we started building some of our proven designs in stock, we can deliver faster. In this case, we expect deliveries in June and the end of 2023.”

Concordia Damen

Concordia Damen’s core business is to design and build inland vessels with an innovative and cost-effective profile, primarily for customers in Western Europe and South America.

Down-to-earth-management enables us to successfully build vessels worldwide, for example: Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Paraguay.

Besides shipbuilding, we are a reputable shipbroker and manage a fleet of inland navigation vessels. Since the founding of the company, Concordia Damen has delivered more than 250 vessels with different specifications to ship owners in both the Netherlands and globally.

High quality, innovation and efficient shipbuilding is the Concordia Damen trademark.

Associated Listing:

Concordia Group

Dynamic Load Monitoring (DLM) Names Scrutton Director

Monday, 30th January 2023

Dynamic Load Monitoring (UK) Ltd. (DLM) has promoted Chris Scrutton to technical director of the Southampton, UK, business.

He will immediately take an overall view of the engineering and operations functions of the company with a remit to improve efficiency, strategically identify and develop new products, along with ensuring that the Dynamic Load Monitoring range continues to offer industry-leading functionality and quality.

Scrutton, formerly technical manager, is already managing director of Dynamic Load Monitoring’s sister company, Vulcan Offshore, a specialist in fabrication, welding, and computer numerical control (CNC) machining for the marine and subsea industries. It principally works for cable lay companies that own or charter vessels for laying offshore wind farm or fibre optic cables for the telecommunications industry.

DLM, meanwhile, is renowned for the manufacture and supply of running line monitors (RLMs), saddleback monitors (used in pre-lay grapnel run and route clearance operations to measure line tension), load pins, and load cells that capture data as tension is applied to lifting and marine equipment.

Martin Halford, managing director at DLM, said: “Chris has earned it, through the dedication and commitment he has provided to myself and DLM over the past 10 years. He knows the company inside out, from starting as a calibration technician then progressing to engineering, to management, and now director, gaining engineering and project management qualifications along the way. With the expansion of the company, we needed to reorganise the structure to help us continue with our plans and prepare for the next stage of growth.”

Scrutton said: “I will bring additional technical knowledge and experience gained from working on engineering projects for cable and pipe laying vessels over the last 10 years. Coupled with my experience running a business and managing teams, I will have a specific focus on staff and product development. The goal is to allow us to grow DLM more efficiently while maintaining existing levels of customer service and support.”

Practically, added Halford, the promotion will enable Scrutton to spend more time making advancements to both the manufacturing facility and processes, along with the company’s product range. Slightly removed from day-to-day functions, he will prioritise both growth at Vulcan and deliver the planned advancements at DLM.

Combined DLM and Vulcan growth dovetails with favourable market conditions that sees an increase in offshore wind projects, specifically in Asia and the U.S. Additional demand, Scrutton explained, is being seen from vessel owners and operators procuring new equipment to complete renewable energy projects.

“This provides a variety of opportunities for DLM to increase our support for existing clients, but also to develop new relationships with emerging businesses in these growing regions,” he said.

Associated Listing:

Unrivalled Hands-on Demo Opportunities at Ocean Business 2023

Thursday, 26th January 2023

With less than three months until Ocean Business 2023, more details can be revealed about the Training and Demonstration programme, one of the main attractions of the global technology and science exhibition for marine industries.

The three-day show, which runs from April 18-20 at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, is open to all visitors for free by registering online at www.oceanbusiness.com.

This year’s Training and Demonstration programme marks a year of exciting progress and development in the ocean environment.

Visitors will have the opportunity to observe cutting edge technology close up and meet the top innovators in the sector, with 130-plus hours of demonstrations on the dockside, on board vessels, in the test tank, and in the classroom.

A major draw will be the latest in autonomous vehicles, with a number of ROVs, USVs and AUVs in action, from Singapore, the US, Norway, Spain, Ireland and the UK.

Highlights include first time OB exhibitor Aquatic Drones, demonstrating how cost efficient its zero emission Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) is for surveys focusing on inland waterways, hydro dams, ports, coastlines and offshore wind projects.

Advances in AUV technology will be the focus of Singapore’s BeeX, with a vehicle that can autonomously inspect platform structures using a positioning system from UK company Sonardyne.

And EvoLogics will demonstrate excellence in underwater search and reconnaissance, deploying a combination of USVs, AUVs, sensor stations, object recognition technology, and underwater data and positioning networks.

Meanwhile, on board Callista, the National Oceanography Centre’s purpose-built research vessel, Chelsea Technologies will present its next generation instrumentation, LabSTAF, to measure phytoplankton primary productivity.

Also on the dockside – which will be fitted with a 33m floating pontoon to accommodate the mobilisation of autonomous vehicles – Maritime Robotics will stage demonstrations of its fleet of Otter Pros, with both the Norbit and Kongsberg multibeam systems, the ultimate in unmanned survey platforms.

Test tank and classroom training and demonstration sessions will cover everything from Teledyne’s marine interconnect technology advancements to EdgeTech’s 3D sub-seabed imaging sonar, eBOSS.

Ocean Business 2023 provides unrivalled access to today’s transformational ocean technology – from the most sophisticated collision avoidance systems, to sustainable environmental monitoring, to breakthroughs in robotic and lean crewed fleets.

With more than 300 manufacturers and service providers already booked for the sold-out exhibition, this year’s event promises to attract record crowds from around the world, offering unbeatable networking opportunities.

Terry Sloane, Managing Director of Planet Ocean and ecoSUB Robotics, said: ‘Planet Ocean and ecoSUB love being at Ocean Business. As one of the original companies involved in the stakeholder discussions when Ocean Business was just an idea, we are delighted that it has become a ‘must attend’ on the international ocean show calendar.

‘As a company that partners with more than 20 overseas manufacturers, it’s a great opportunity to connect with them without burning huge amounts of carbon, as well as meeting with our customers, old, new and future. When you add in the training and demonstration opportunities, Ocean Business clearly comes out top.’

Cheri Arvonio, Event Director at show organiser Diversified Communications, said: ‘Our Training and Demonstration programme this year is packed with innovation and ideas to future-proof your business.

‘We’re expecting some exciting product launches and can’t wait to welcome a line-up of sector-leading ocean people, sharing their wealth of scientific, technological and engineering expertise.’

All training and demonstration sessions are free to attend and visitors can book in on a first come first served basis at the show, or in advance by contacting the company hosting the session.

Applying Electric Drives for Downhole Applications

Wednesday, 25th January 2023

Although the goals of the oil and gas extraction industry—technological efficiency, environmental compatibility, and cost management—have generally remained the same, the drive toward zero net- carbon emission has highlighted efficiency and sustainability efforts. As downhole drilling has the largest potential for technological innovation, meeting these goals means leaning toward electrification.

What would you say has slowed the progress toward electrification in downhole applications? First of all, there is the need to continually expand the capabilities of the technology so it fully meets the extremely demanding environmental conditions of the industry. Second, there is concern over shifting the industry from one technology(hydraulics) to another (electric motors) with few guarantees.

Conventional hydraulics solutions have depleted their cost effectiveness in meeting the ever-growing goals set by the industry. Even though technical innovations in motors, electronics, and battery technologies are delivering the tools needed for electrification in the oil and gas industry, a lack of experience and expertise in the technologies can slow progress.

What is gained through the electrification of the oil and gas industries?

Efficiencies gained through digitalisation include having a real-time data stream to enhance precise positioning control, so operators are able to make strategic production decisions easier and execute them faster. Collected data concerning reservoir behaviour, production processes, well integrity and safety, and equipment performance not only increases efficiencies across the board but also reduces the carbon footprint of an entire project.

Electric motors used for valve control as well as other actuations throughout a system eliminate leakage risks associated with hydraulic lines. Battery technologies have made these inroads possible, even in harsh environments. Process control can be achieved through various parameters including speed, torque, position, and other methods depending on the sensors used in the system.

What are the most important technical challenges that need to be addressed?

Conventional electric motors cannot operate in harsh ambient conditions in and around downhole applications where extreme temperatures, high pressures, and potentially high shock and vibration conditions exist. This means that the motor technology must reach very high operating standards in order to maintain reliability over long life cycles to reduce costly maintenance requirements. As the industry is aiming for better productivity and efficiency, it is crucial to maximise the production of existing wells but also reach more challenging, unconventional wells, pushing the technological limits of electric motors even further. These requirements lead to the need for custom solutions tailored to downhole specifications.

What might be blocking the electrification of downhole applications on the motor side?

The technical challenges mentioned above mean that a successful motor manufacturer must have a team of engineers with the expertise and resources to perform all the developmental steps required, plus ensure reliable production and testing processes. For example, conventional permanent magnet DC motors use neodymium magnets which start to demagnetiSe once temperatures of +150°C are exceeded. In addition, conventional winding insulations are not able to withstand such extreme conditions. Because temperature ratings include ambient plus the added temperature caused by the load, a specific safety margin needs to be considered. Other motor parts must be made of high-grade stainless steel, and the use of adhesives or plastics should be avoided.

How has Maxon Motors addressed these critical requirements?

Maxon Motors has an entire platform of robust heavy-duty motors for extreme environments. For example, the EC 22 HD brushless DC motor with GP 22 HD planetary gearhead offers users a compact (Ø22 mm), highly efficient, and powerful drive solution made from fully welded stainless steel along with encapsulated samarium-cobalt magnets and a high-temperature ironless core winding, proven to withstand temperatures up to 240°C. The gearhead is designed for high torque (12 Nm overload torque capability). An ironless core winding and high-performance rotor is the “heart” of Maxon heavy-duty motors. The primarily stainless steel assembly minimises the use of adhesives, concentrating instead on the connection of individual components through mechanical fits and secured with laser welding.

What tests and procedures would you suggest for qualifying a downhole design?

Here are a few of the production processes that must be defined and tested to ensure robust manufacturing of your motor design. Note that it is important to have the resources as well as the expertise to conduct these tests and implement all the necessary steps on the production line. Three specific tests are recommended to ensure the long life and proper operation of these motors.

Internal full load test where motors are tested in air or hydraulic oil at extreme temperatures and under full load during continuous operation.
Vibration and thermal stress tests are performed on drives placed in climate-controlled enclosures and subjected to high vibrations. In operational and high temperatures, the motors must continue functioning within their performance specifications.
Shock tests are performed in a laboratory where a variety of shock loads of more than 1,000 G are applied. The drives must function fully under these conditions.

Application examples

Measurement while drilling systems use electric actuators in their mud pulser units, which are responsible for delivering a second-by-second feed on the progress of the bore.
Electric motors allow for highly precise control of flow valves to achieve optimal flow rates at any time.
Well inspection is another segment of the industry that will benefit from using high-precision positioning linear motors to increase operational speed and precision.

Winter Safety Checklist for Site and Facilities Managers

Wednesday, 25th January 2023

In the autumn and winter months, the combined darker, wetter, and colder conditions present additional risk factors which can contribute to an increase in slips and trips around the workplace.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, 30% (the largest proportion) of all specified non-fatal workplace injuries are attributed to a slip, trip or fall. With each individual case resulting in up to 7 lost working days.*

UK manufacturer, Glasdon, compiled a 5-point checklist to ensure you feel confident that you, your staff, and site are prepared for the colder months ahead.

1. Revisit Risk Areas

Identify all outdoor areas used by pedestrians across your site and facilities and highlight those priority routes that could be affected by ice, frost, and snow.

Questions?

When was the last visual site inspection?
Are there any new outdoor areas or changes to entrances or exits to include in this year’s winter plan?
Will diversion routes need to change consequently?

2. Roles and Responsibilities

The approved code of practice for Regulation 12 of the Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992 (Condition of Floors and Traffic Routes) item 116 states:

Questions?

Who assists in putting your winter plan into action when the time comes?
Is your contact list and their working hours or availability up to date and are they aware of their duties?
When was the last winter briefing held or update communicated?

3. Winter Safety Equipment

The time to check winter safety equipment and assess grit salt stock levels is now.

Questions?

Which gritting solution will you use? Ice melt or rock salt?
Are your grit bins still accessible and located in or near to priority areas?
Could a manual or towable grit spreader help provide faster coverage and reduce manual handling issues this season?
Does the team require any new PPE clothing or additional safety accessories for their footwear such as Ice Grips?

4. Weather Checks

The only way to stay ahead and prevent icy surfaces from forming is to monitor temperatures, keep up with the latest weather forecasts and take action accordingly when temperatures fall to 2.2°C (36°F) and below.

Questions?

Can you make any improvements to your procedure for monitoring temperatures?
Could a mobile app or smart weather station device help?

5. Winter Safety Tips

Subscribe for Met Office Weather Warnings affecting your area.
Don’t wait for 0°C or below temperatures before acting. Clear skies during a still, cold night can lead to ground frost even when the air temperature is above 0°C.
Grit salt doesn’t work instantly and needs sufficient time to dissolve for it to work. Therefore, the best times to grit are early in the evening before frost settles and/or early in the morning well before employees and visitors arrive.
Prioritise any outdoor footbridges or overpasses on site as they are more likely to freeze first.
When gritting give slopes, steps and uneven routes, extra attention.
If it has snowed, divert pedestrian traffic to cleared routes and spread grit on the first layer of snow.

Sources:

*http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/kinds-of-accident.pdf?pdf=kinds-of-accident – Page 4
**http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/l24.pdf

Health and Safety Company of the Year Award

Monday, 16th January 2023

Following the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (North East) Annual Dinner, s received the Health and Safety Company of the Year award. This prestigious award recognises achievements, activities and initiatives employed throughout the area of health and safety across a period of the last 12 months. This coupled with their recent RoSPA Gold Award, demonstrates an unrivalled commitment to ensuring health and safety remains the number one priority.

Managing Director Paul Stephenson commented ‘We are delighted to receive this award, which recognises the hard work of all of our employees in maintaining a health and safety culture that we can all be proud off. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank both our clients and delivery partners for their contribution in allowing us to maintain such high standards’.

In addition to this award, Southbay also received a commendation for their Durham Riverside Improvements scheme within the Project of The Year (Under £1m) category. The scheme involved the installation of erosion protection measures and the upgrade of existing infrastructure across a length of 70m of the River Wear. The project, which was delivered using specialist marine plant, involved a significant environmental interface.

Associated Listing:

Unique Group wins multi-million-dollar HBOT system contract from HMS Group

Friday, 13th January 2023

Unique Group, global innovators in subsea technologies and engineering, has announced the sale of its Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT) system, Uni-Heal, to HMS DXBone Excellence Center, a part of HMS Group of Hospitals in the UAE.

In partnership with Hie Capital, Unique Group will deliver its bespoke technology to Dubai-based HMS DXBone Excellence Center by February 2023. This tri-party partnership paves the way for the creation of one of the largest HBOT centres in the Middle East. As part of the contract with HMS Group, Unique Group will design, manufacture and install a twelve-patient HBOT system along with set-up and maintenance services from its UAE office, while Hie Capital will offer their consultancy services for setting up the HBOT center.

Part of the HMS Group of Hospitals, which operates more than four speciality hospitals in the UAE, HMS DxBone Excellence Center is specialised for orthopedic services in the country. The hospital offers value-added healthcare services to residents in the UAE and GCC, with leading medical and surgical consultants providing state-of-the-art orthopedic and musculoskeletal solutions.

Harry Gandhi, Group Chairman at Unique Group, commented: “We’re pleased to provide our state-of-the-art HBOT unit to HMS DXBone Excellence Center and be a part of the largest HBOT centre in the Middle East. The sale is testament to our medical technology product line’s unrivalled position in the market following years of innovative manufacturing expertise coupled with direct collaboration with hyperbaric medicine specialists. Together with HMS, we look forward to creating a positive patient experience and delivering impactful results.”

H.E. Mr. Sami Al Qamzi, Chairman of HMS DXBone Excellence Center commented: “Following years of experience in various aspects of medicine, we’re pleased to introduce hyperbaric medicine. Unique Group has a long-standing commitment to professionalism and quality which is reflected in its products and we’re confident that the newly set up hyperbaric centre will add value to our existing line up of specialties in the region.”

The HBOT system is designed and developed by Unique Group’s UAE and South Africa offices in compliance with stringent design codes for medical devices such as EC93-42. It has a fully digital chamber control system which is ergonomically designed for easy operation and optimum healing experience for medical conditions ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning to diabetic wound care and non-healing cuts. Unique Group will provide the technical support required to integrate the equipment in the hospital and train staff members to operate the system.

Countdown to Ocean Business 2023 as Registration Opens

Monday, 9th January 2023

Registration is now open for Ocean Business 2023, the global technology and science exhibition for marine industries.

The three-day event, which runs from April 18-20 at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, is open to all visitors for free by registering online at www.oceanbusiness.com.

With more than 300 manufacturers and service providers already booked for the sold-out exhibition, this year’s Ocean Business promises to attract record crowds from around the world, offering unrivalled networking opportunities.

The Training and Demonstration programme – featuring 130-plus hours of new technologies demonstrated in the dockside waters, onboard vessels and in the classroom – is also now live and can be viewed on the Ocean Business website.

The sessions will allow visitors to see tomorrow’s world today and meet the experts behind cutting-edge technology in an ocean environment.

Highlights include the latest in autonomous vehicle underwater monitoring from EvoLogics; next generation ROVs from international innovators such as Saab Seaeye, Oceanbotics and Deep Trekker; Maritime Robotics’ collision avoidance systems; and ground-breaking advances in AUV technology from Singapore’s BeeX, with a vehicle that can autonomously inspect platform structures using a positioning system from UK company Sonardyne.

Inside the exhibition, visitors will be able to see pioneering developments across the ocean technology sector and find solutions to shape the future of their business.

Key industry players, including Teledyne Marine, Kongsberg Marine, Planet Ocean, and AAE Technologies, among many others, will be out in force this year, showcasing products and services, all with a focus on fast changing technology.

Ocean Business 2023 will also host a one-day, free-to-attend conference – on top of a series of associated, on-site meetings – with a line-up of the industry’s brightest minds addressing the key issues of the day.

And, for the first time, the world’s only conference dedicated to marine electromagnetics – MARELEC – will run alongside Ocean Business. Delegates will hear from eminent scientists, engineers and academics of the progress made in the past four years in the fields of geophysics, geotechnical engineering, oceanography and naval warfare.

And the Ocean Careers programme is back, offering students a chance to connect with potential employers and gain valuable insights from industry professionals.

Cheri Arvonio, Event Director at show organiser Diversified Communications, said Ocean Business offered an unbeatable backdrop for doing business, hearing industry updates and sharing ideas.

‘As the countdown begins to Ocean Business 2023, we look forward to welcoming the international ocean business community back to Southampton in April. We are delighted with the response from exhibitors and we have high hopes that this enthusiasm will be matched by registrations.

‘Ocean Business provides a platform to forge relationships and grow your business network and we are confident that this year’s event will mirror the passion, pace and creativity of the sector and live up to its reputation as the perfect meeting place for the ocean industry.’

CP&A Talks Automated Cranes at Virtual Conference

Thursday, 5th January 2023

Casper, Phillips & Associates Inc. (CP&A) was among speakers at the Overhead Crane and Hoist Innovation Conference earlier this month (October).

CP&A was represented by Richard Phillips, mechanical engineer, who tackled the subject of automation alongside Richard Emmer, business development manager, automation at Magnetek, a Columbus McKinnon brand. CP&A offers a wide variety of services, including procurement, specification, design, manufacturing review, modification, and accident investigation.

The free-of-charge conference was hosted by Progressive Media International along with its global media partner, TOC Worldwide. The conference was delivered digitally on October 19 and included a series of papers that addressed the latest in cutting-edge technology from the Marine Lifting and handling industry, focusing on the key equipment used in the logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing sectors. Attendees learnt about the innovations that can help to improve an operation’s efficiency and safety. Presentations also covered performance data analysis, braking systems, anti-sway technology, and other relevant topics.

Phillips brought design experience with automated crane systems to the conference. He has worked on both sides of these projects: first, crane procurement—writing specifications, evaluating bids, addressing specification deviation requests, and design reviews; and on the contractor side—designing power transmission systems, providing construction / fabrication support, and authoring operation and maintenance manuals.

He said: “There are lots of reasons why automation is a buzz topic. Automated cranes can be run without operators so it can reduce the overhead costs and increase productivity. This is a big deal in the current economic climate as many countries / markets are trying to curb inflation and boost production. Rick and I come from different backgrounds; he had a lot of interesting talking points, and we were able to give different perspectives.”

People and automation
The automation session attracted a variety of attendees, with a demographic largely centered on production and procurement functions. The delegation put questions to Phillips and Emmer about modifying existing cranes to be automated and how much labour needs to be replaced before automated cranes are worth the cost.

While they weren’t directly addressed during this Overhead Crane and Hoist Innovation Conference item, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are also part of the wider automation discussion.

Sensors have been placed on powertrain components, such as gearboxes, to actively monitor and predict when certain maintenance tasks need to be performed. This is an extension of how powertrain components are tested without IoT devices. Instead of a technician hooking up all the special equipment for the test, the testing equipment will be permanently mounted on the gearbox. Here, data will be constantly sent to AI systems where algorithms are used to dynamically suggest optimum maintenance intervals.

However, Phillips said: “With all this complexity, sometimes we forget about the basics. A state-of-the-art IoT and AI monitoring system will not fix a bad design. If a hoist powertrain isn’t properly designed, the AI system will suggest an unreasonable amount of maintenance. On the other hand, there are always risks and costs for moving to automation. There isn’t an answer for every single industry and every lifting application. You would be amazed at the number of decisions a crane operator makes on a simple lift—trying to program all of that is a very big challenge.”

“It is still an emerging technology,” continued Phillips. “Although there are automated cranes, they are not all automated to the same extent. Some cranes have special instruments that will inspect wire ropes and automatic bearing lubrication systems, while others only have the travel motions automated. New technology is coming out very quickly. One of the biggest issues is that the automation industry needs to start standardizing products and interfaces. A lot of the suppliers come up with great new designs and interfaces; however, they don’t like to give away all their research and development to their competitors. I think the next big step will be to have standard platforms across the different industries that any supplier can easily interface with. Right now, it seems all the different automation packages are custom and / or proprietary to a specific supplier.”

Exciting place to work
This technological drive dovetails with ongoing efforts by industry stakeholders to attract young people into the lifting sector, while newcomers may have been among conference delegates.

“It helps to have exciting projects to work on,” enthused Phillips. “Right now, the market is very competitive, especially in the U.S. A lot of the current research at universities is on robotics. If you think about it, automated cranes could be considered giant robots. Arguably, industrial lifting hasn’t been revolutionized in years—generations, even. Now, with the advent of automation, IoT, and AI, that is changing. Meanwhile, training practices and recruitment of the next generation of skilled workers are challenges all companies will need to address in coming years.”

The latest presentation follows CP&A’s recent appearance on a panel that took questions from an American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) delegation. The company’s past president, Rich W. Phillips, a structural engineer, was among panellists that explored, ‘Engineering solutions to your container handling equipment obstacles’ at the Facilities Engineering Seminar & Expo.

Rotec achieves Parker Certified Accumulator Service Centre recertification

Thursday, 5th January 2023

Rotec is pleased to announce it has been re-certified as a Parker Hannifin Hydraulic Accumulator Service and Technology Centre.

Following successful completion of an audit process for Hydraulic Accumulator Technology and Service Centres, Rotec Hydraulics Ltd has retained its prestige as the only certified Parker Accumulator Service and Technology Centre in the South of the UK.

Parker Certified Accumulator Service Centres were established to enable the combination of marine industry-leading products with excellent customer service, and to deliver stress-free accumulator management with maximised performance, efficiency, and safety.

The benefits of being a Parker certified centre, in addition to Rotec’s status as a Parker Hydraulic Technology Centre, enables Rotec Hydraulics to provide integrated solutions that combine products, services and technologies. Rotec’s access to original spare parts provides tangible benefits to clients, including shorter inspection time and the reduction of complexity help to lower cost and to save time.

As added value to customers, the Rotec Hydraulics Ltd Service Centre is able to utilise the Parker Tracking System (PTS) which helps schedule accumulator maintenance, providing automated notifications on inspections and replacement parts.
Rotec Hydraulics have the knowledge, expertise and capabilities to deliver a comprehensive range of accumulator services including:

Regulatory compliance and certification

Hydraulic accumulator re-certification
Provision of tracking systems, data monitoring and recording
Optimising customer documentation to fulfil regulatory requirements
Local pressure vessel regulation
Audits, scheduled inspections and replacement parts

Hydraulic accumulator maintenance and pre-charging

Full service for just in time solutions and breakdown repairs
Full service for replacement and planned/preventative maintenance
Commissioning/testing (on-site)
Bladder and piston seal replacement
Gas pre-charge control and re-charge

System Optimisation

System design and improvement (including Hydraulic Power Units (HPUs) and Accumulator Racks, calculation, training and measurement)
Accumulator replacement

Asset Management

Energy and efficiency audits
Risk assessment and servicing of safety equipment
Asset condition monitoring and prognostics (sensors)
Legal conformity and insurance cover
Enabling customers to exploit the potential of Condition Monitoring and the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

For more information on Rotec’s range of Accumulator services contact sales@rotec.net or phone 01823 348900.

Associated Listing:

Month: January 2023

Advertise with Seaplant

Join us