Products & services

New compact scrubber showing promising results in full-scale trial onboard Royal Caribbean ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 19 June 2012 19 June 2012

Green Tech Marine’s new compact exhaust gas scrubber (GTM R15) has successfully been installed onboard a Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas, while the ship was in continuous service. The compact design required no extra space as the scrubber replaced the ship’s exhaust silencer.

Green Tech Marine and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. launched the pilot test to see if the new technology was a viable solution to a critical environmental challenge. Royal Caribbean has long been an industry leader in environmental initiatives, seeking to not only comply with regulations but also surpass them. With many new environmental regulations coming into effect over the next five years, the financial and technical challenge of upgrading systems and operations is considerable.

Beyond the efficient removal of SOx and other particles, the GTM R15 provides a number of advantages over other scrubbers, such as its minimal footprint requirement and low weight. It is also energy efficient, requiring virtually no external chemicals and allowing for installation during operation.

Installation was completed in four months. Initial testing has been undertaken with the system in full-scale operation and the engine running from 2 to 12.4 MW. The scrubber has produced successful results in both open loop and closed loop using seawater. A preliminary scrubber test was performed shore side in Norway for 11 months. After several visits to analyze the scrubber’s performance, Royal Caribbean committed to a pilot test.

“The small size and low weight of the scrubber got our attention,” said Anders Aasen, Associate Vice President, Global Marine Technical Services at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “When we saw the initial performance results, we were convinced to launch a full scale trial.”

The technology is a bold new approach from the young company, but Green Tech Marine has always been confident it would prove successful.

“We’ve had full confidence in our system from the beginning,” said Peter Strandberg, Managing Director of Green Tech Marine. “We were thrilled to see it put into practice when we hit the start button and the GTM R15 started working.”

Over the next 4-6 months Green Tech will continue to test the GTM R15 onboard Liberty of the Seas to demonstrate that the scrubber can be operated continuously over a sustained period of time and maintain the same positive results as the initial tests achieved. Green Tech Marine is currently working closely together with DNV in order to receive type approval for the GTM R15 under the applicable International Maritime Organization requirements.

SHIPSU web service to link maritime material buyers and sellers

Details: Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 June 2012 08 June 2012

A new webbased portal called SHIPSU that was launched in Finland in June aims to bring together buyers and sellers of materials that are used in shipbuilding and maintenance of ships.

“Unlike in the case of ordinary construction materials, those for in shipbuilding have to be internationally certified for this purpose,” SHIPSU said in a statement, adding that this often complicates the purchase process of materials.

The SHIPSU service offers “Provider Profile” for those that sell their products to the shipbuilding and maritime industries. Companies can offer information about their products and services and e.g. certification of them in text, image and video formats.

“Buyer Profile” targets shipyards, ship owners and e.g. ship managers who buy materials for shipbuilding and maintenance purposes. They will have access to the information provided by providers, with an aim to simplify buying processes and to save time.

Although SHIPSU is based in Finland, the company aims to target the global market –shore and afloat. It also works via satellite based Internet on board shops, the company said.

Survitec Group introduces new lifeboat Fall Preventer Device

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 29 May 2012 29 May 2012

Survitec Group has developed a new Fall Preventer Device (FPD) to help reduce the number of accidents caused by the failure of on-load lifeboat release hooks. The product comes with a Lloyd's Register certificate as standard.

Following a number of accidents, ship owners are being strongly advised to ensure that all vessels are now equipped with this sort of device to ensure compliance with MSC guidance circular 1327.

In use the FPD's are attached between the lifeboat and the fore and aft davit fall blocks. This provides a second line of safety in case the loaded hook system fails while lowering or raising the lifeboat. The safety strops are removed before activating the sling release mechanism just before the lifeboat enters the water. The strops are then reattached before the lifeboat is retrieved from the water.

Each FPD is marked with the date it first came into service and it is stressed that the strop should not be used for any other purpose. All FPDs need to be in place before any drill, testing, inspection or maintenance work is carried out that requires people to be in the lifeboat.

Manufactured from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) rope, Survitec's new Fall Preventer Device is exceptionally strong yet it is easy to handle by the ship's crew. It offers excellent resistance to UV and chemical damage. The product is supplied with an instruction manual and a safety warning tag to attach to the release handle in the lifeboat to remind operators to remove the FPD before activating the lifeboat release mechanism. Fully compliant with the MSC.1/Circ 1327 guidelines, the FPD can be retrofitted to all existing release and retrieval systems.

Under the new regulations adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2011 all new on-load release mechanisms for lifeboats must be evaluated against new design requirements by 1 July 2013. Any non-compliant hooks must be replaced no later than the first scheduled dry docking of the ship after 1 July 2014 but in any case, not later than 1 July 2019.

Metalcolour takes over DAMPA

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 31 May 2012 31 May 2012

Metalcolour A/S has, as of May 25, 2012, acquired DAMPA ApS in Tommerup, Denmark from the U.S. Chicago Metallic group. DAMPA, which in 2011 generated sales of some EUR 10 million, is a leading manufacturer of suspended metal ceiling systems for both marine and building applications.

DAMPA's history dates back to 1950-s, where the company invented the concept of sound absorbing perforated ceiling panels, which was launched under its original name "DAEMPA". Since then the company has spread its concept to most parts of the world where the current name "DAMPA" has become a synonym for these ceiling systems.
Metalcolour A/S, with group turnover of about EUR 25 million, manufactures coil coated and laminated steel and aluminium sheet for a variety of purposes, including shipping and building panels, appliances and automotive parts. It has two production facilities, one in Nykøbing Falster, Denmark and one in Ronneby, Sweden.

Metalcolour has for some years been DAMPA's main supplier of coated steel and aluminium, and through a closer integration between the two companies, substantial savings and more effective launch of new product designs and innovations are expected.

In connection with the acquisition the current Supply Chain Manager at DAMPA, Michael Nykjær, is appointed Plant Manager of DAMPA, while the Chairman and co-owner of Metalcolour A/S Henrik Kaa Andersen becomes CEO. After a short transition period, Michael Nykjær will take over this position.

Uni-Safe reminds of BNWAS deadline

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 28 May 2012 28 May 2012

On 1st July 2012, the next deadline for installation of BNWAS (Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems) enters into force. Uni-Safe Electronics has successfully delivered more than 2,000 BNWAS systems.

BNWAS BW-800 has several Type Approvals and there for e complies with the regulations from IMO: MSC.128 (75) and the new IEC 62616 per ormance standard. All Type Approvals are available for download on www.unielec.dk. Uni-Safe Electronics will be displaying their BNWAS BW-800 system at the for the coming maritime exhibition: SMM running from 4th September - 7th September 2012 at Stand no. B6.427. Learn more about BNWAS BW-800 and other exhibitions BNWAS BW-800 will be displayed by checking Uni-Safe Electronics’ website: www.unielec.dk

Installation of BW-800 on “Leonora Christina”

Uni-Safe Electronics’ Australian agent: AMI Marine International supplied high-speed catamaran ferry “Leonora Christina” operating between Denmark and Sweden the total electronics navigation/communications and entertainment package, including the BNWAS BW-800 system. (“Leonora Christina” is the largest vessel built by Austal Ships).

Making safety a priority!

Now more than ever, focusing on safety on board ships is essential. Baring in mind the colossal damages collisions and groundings can cause, maintaining a high standard of safety at the bridge is crucial. The financial consequences to ship owners, due to ship loss or penalties can also be devastating. But with the installation of BNWAS BW-800, the vessel ensures that the officer on watch is alert and competent to carry out his duties.

Quality BNWAS systems

BNWAS BW-800 is designed as a cost effective product and it is easy to install which means low installation costs for the vessel owner. The small size of the units makes it easy to install on vessels with limited space for new equipment. Most of the systems are installed as retrofit when the vessel is sailing from one port to another or installed the next time the vessel is in dock. High quality and safety first are keywords for Uni-Safe Electronics.

Installation Deadlines:

Many vessel owners are not aware of the new regulations and deadlines for installation of BNWAS. If the vessel has failed to comply with the new regulations in due time the vessel will not be allowed to sail should a surveyor inspect the installations. To avoid a panic situation, Uni-Safe Electronics recommends vessel owners to install the BNWAS in due time, e.g. next time the vessel is docking. Uni-Safe Electronics is able to deliver BNWAS BW-800 on a day-to-day basis.

1 July 2011: New ships over 150 GT and all new passenger ships

1 July 2012: Existing passenger ships and ships over 3.000 GT

1 July 2013: Existing ships over 500 GT

1 July 2014: Existing ships over 150 GT