Products & services

GF Piping Systems at SMM 2022: Efficient and sustainable plastic piping systems for the marine industry

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 06 September 2022 06 September 2022

SMM in Hamburg, the leading international trade fair for the maritime industry, is focusing on topics such as digital transformation, climate change, and energy transition in 2022. From September 6 to 9, GF Piping Systems will present complete solutions that make shipping more sustainable.

International shipping is facing a challenge: On the one hand it must comply with ever more stringent sustainability guidelines defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). At the same time, trends such as digitalization and automation have led to much higher technical demands on board. Therefore, the Swiss company GF Piping Systems will present sustainable solutions under the motto “Future Horizons” that make marine piping applications more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable.

A recent addition to the company’s marine portfolio is the Butterfly Valve 565 with digital functionality that has just received certification by DNV and Bureau Veritas. It features a housing made of fiber reinforced polyamide, a valve disc made of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and is highly pressure and temperature resistant (PN16 at 80°C). Combined with its low weight and identical installation length, it is designed to easily replace metal alternatives. Furthermore, it is the first industrial butterfly valve to receive an environmental product declaration (EPD).

At SMM 2022, GF Piping Systems will also display HEAT-FIT, a new fire-retardant pipe jacket system that introduces efficient plastic piping systems into demanding L3 applications. It uses proven materials found in the aerospace and building technology sectors and is capable of withstanding fire with a temperature of up to 1000°C for 30 minutes at 3 bar. HEAT-FIT is certified by DNV, Bureau Veritas, ABS and Lloyds Register and fulfills safety standards such as IMO Res. A753 fire endurance L3 Code, as well as IMO Res. A653 2010, FTP Code Part 5 and Part 2.

In addition, the company will also show a variety of long proven plastic piping systems. COOL-FIT is a pre-insulated system designed to optimize commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. Due to its construction, it is up to 60% lighter and 30% more efficient than metal, resulting in a less energy-intensive and more cost-effective operation. Visitors will also experience SeaDrain White, a UV-resistant system for black and gray water in marine passenger applications that weighs 50% less than metal.

Roberto Chiesa, Head Head of Business Development Marine at GF Piping Systems sees SMM 2022 as an important platform: “With more than 30 years of experience in this industry, we are very aware of the current challenges. We believe that complete piping solutions consisting of corrosion-free, long-lasting, and cost-effective plastic components can be part of a holistic strategy that makes the maritime sector more sustainable. Therefore, we will continue to focus on future horizons.”

BIO-UV group secures deal to supply BWTS to Ritz-Carlton newbuilds

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 04 September 2022 04 September 2022

Chantiers de l’Atlantique has contracted BIO-UV group to supply BIO-SEA ballast water treatment systems to a pair of LNG-fueled ultra-luxury cruise ships the French shipyard is building for Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

When delivered in 2024 and 2025 respectively, the 46,000 gross ton Ilma and Luminara will join the smaller Astander Shipyard-built Evrima – the first ever Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vessel – which will set sail later this year.

“We are immensely proud to supply BIO-SEA systems to these prestigious vessels,” said Maxime Dedeurwaerder, Business Unit Director, BIO-SEA by BIO-UV Group. “These premium cruise ships are at the cutting edge of environmental technology and an advanced UV-based ballast water treatment means they are safeguarding our oceans from invasive, non-indigenous organisms.”

Ilma and Luminara will each be fitted out with a BIO-SEA ‘B’-Series B02-190 system capable of treating ballast water flow rates of 190m3/h from just two high intensity, low-energy UV reactors. The system incorporates a mechanical filtration system that is backflushed automatically to ensure continuous and effective performance.

Each 456-passenger capacity vessel also operates four dual-fuel engines running on LNG as the primary fuel to significantly reduce emissions. The yachts also have an efficient heat recovery system, LED lighting and other features to reduce the environmental impact.

While BIO-UV Group has an established relationship with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, since 2015, having delivered BWTS units for installation to myriad cruise ships and military vessels, Ilma and Luminara represent the first projects for Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.

BIO UV Group’s Technical Director Florian Cortes added: “For the operator and crew, BIO-SEA operation and UV dosage is automatically controlled, and treatment performance is not impacted by either water temperature or salinity. The compact skid systems selected for the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection also incorporate a user-friendly interface for operational and maintenance simplicity.”

Survitec launches cruise MES technology for small passenger vessels

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 September 2022 01 September 2022

Survival technology specialist Survitec has launched a new Marine Evacuation System (MES) designed to the meet the emergency evacuation requirements of small to medium size passenger vessels.

Targeted at vessels with passenger capacities ranging from 300 to 1,500 persons, such as ferries and expedition cruise ships, the new MES solution will be officially introduced to ship operators during the SMM Trade Fair before being rolled out for full market availability from early 2023.

The new MES solution builds on Survitec’s success and growing market share in the larger cruise ship market, where the company has installed some of the largest dry-shod MES systems on the most advanced cruise ships in the world.

Customers can expect to see operational and cost efficiencies with an extended service MES option of up to 30 months, although the standard 12-month service offering remains available to those customers that choose it. Survitec also provides training programmes for crew, to improve their emergency evacuation skills and how to deploy MES correctly.

“We were aware that there was demand for an extended service MES solution with high functionality to serve the ferry and small passenger cruise market. We went back to the drawing board and took a fresh look at how we could drive innovation to meet this need,” says Richard McCormick, AES and MES Product Manager, Survitec.

“The 30-month service interval this technology affords, brings convenience to the customer. This is because all of the complex logistics around servicing only have to be undertaken roughly every two and a half years. The cost savings for vessel owners are obvious,” says McCormick.

Using the fully enclosed, dry-shod helical (spiral) slide design of the company’s popular Marin Ark 2, the new MES solution ensures safe, rapid and intuitive descent for people of all ages and abilities. There is no restriction on the size of individual users, and crew can ascend the slide to assist passengers if necessary.

“The revolutionary helical slide technology from our Marin Ark 2 MES, trusted by major cruise operators for unrestricted, improved passenger experience and enhanced safety, is now available for ferries and small expedition-type passenger ships,” says McCormick.

Fully enclosed single and double helical slide options are available in an asymmetric arrangement, the new MES solution comprises self-righting approved liferafts for 50, 100, 150 persons, with SOLAS A, B and HSC emergency packs.

For use on vessels with up to 23m of freeboard, the new MES solution will be type approved later this year by classification society Bureau Veritas according to SOLAS and MED requirements.

With a choice of robustly tested SOLAS-approved liferaft options to meet customer needs, the flexible design allows for installation in a wide range of configurations. Inflation takes place automatically within 60 seconds and minimal crew interaction is needed during this phase. Multiple buoyancy compartments provide stability and safety in the toughest sea conditions.

Global service coverage is provided by a total of 59 service stations around the world, ensuring rapid turnarounds for all customers.

Evac launches a new generation wastewater treatment plant

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 02 September 2022 02 September 2022

Evac has developed a new, mid-size version of the Evac Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) wastewater treatment plant for various vessel types. The novel Evac MBR Mid-range treats all wastewater streams to current standards – and beyond.

Evac MBR offers the best possible treatment results by filtering up to 99% of microplastic particles and including the option for nutrient removal. The effluent quality is so good that the treated water can be reused or further processed onboard the vessel.

MBR is the heart of an advanced wastewater process and one of Evac’s Sustainability Spearhead Products. Including a nutrient removal unit in the system allows vessels to operate in environmentally sensitive areas, treating and discharging all wastewater generated by passengers and crew without threat to human health or the marine environment.

Sustainability and operational efficiency have been the key drivers in the development process of the next-generation Evac MBR Mid-range. “The new, upgraded system comes with many beneficial features. In addition to the already occurring excellent treatment results, we have notably improved the system’s efficiency,” explains Alejandro Álvarez Camino, Product Line Manager of Evac’s wastewater treatment solutions.

The latest version of Evac MBR has a robust design, and its fully automatic design has a low maintenance need. The tanks are all made of stainless steel; therefore, corrosion resistance is improved without the need for coating inside or outside the tank. Also, the membrane cleaning method has been improved, and sensors and pipe arrangements have been upgraded for safer and easier operation.

The new upgraded design is compact and requires a 50% smaller footprint onboard the vessel than its predecessor. The mid-range MBR is ideal for navy and offshore installations, smaller passenger vessels with fewer wastewater streams onboard, and superyachts of all sizes.

“Our ambition is to drive the development of our water and waste management technologies to perform at levels where our customers’ environmental impacts can be pushed down to zero. Dealing with waste requires a joint effort, and together with our customers and partners we can make it happen – a future with no waste,” Alejandro concludes.

VIKING spearheads shift to maritime safety as a service

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 01 September 2022 01 September 2022

When SMM kicks off in early September, maritime professionals from all over the world are set to rejoice at the return of this long-awaited industry event - not only to get the complete overview of innovations, solutions and technologies - but also to enjoy this unique opportunity to reunite with the people at the heart of the industry.

According to VIKING SVP Benny Carlsen, “VIKING Life-Saving Equipment returns to SMM in Hamburg this year to further reinforce its position as the industry’s full scope partner for safety, whose recent investments have also anticipated changing supply and service needs across the world of maritime.”

In the period since SMM 2018, VIKING has fully integrated lifeboat OEM and service leader Norsafe, become a force to be reckoned with in marine fire services, launched next generation ranges of PPE and established the unique HydroPen™ system as the market’s leading container firefighting technology. But the company has also invested in digital asset management, further strengthened its service organization, grown its ‘VIKING Academy’ training services, and enhanced and digitalized its supply and service agreements.

“It feels like forever since the last SMM, but now we can’t wait to welcome all existing and potential customers, partners and industry peers to our stand, where visitors can experience our full scope maritime safety solution” - says Benny Carlsen. “Covid-19 surely accelerated digitalization, but there have been other major developments in safety equipment supply and servicing since we last gathered at SMM, and we’ve been responding to, and driving, change. Safety comes first, but to stay competitive in challenging markets, successful operators maintain performance while also finding ways to maximize efficiencies and reduce cost.”

Most of the owners of 20000+ vessels having safety compliance managed under a VIKING Shipowner Agreement have included the concept’s subscription-based approach to liferaft supply and servicing; increasingly, customers are adding lifeboat service, marine fire equipment service, PPE exchange, and LSA on Demand to their agreements, Carlsen says.

“More and more, the VIKING Shipowner Agreement is the favored framework for customers for ensuring onboard safety and compliance. It replaces complexity with flexibility and reduces administration and operational risk, streamlining and simplifying their equipment management.”

OEM competence and product innovation remain critical, Carlsen emphasizes, pointing to VIKING’s development of new lifeboats and ranges of PPE for service engineers, seafarers and air crews. Another eye-catching solution is the unique LifeCraft™ - the world’s first flag and type approved advanced evacuation and survival craft system, capable of replacing lifeboats on cruise ships. VIKING also arrives at SMM buoyed by the success of landmark orders to equip the entire fleets of some of the world’s largest container carriers with its HydroPen™ container firefighting system. Most recently, A.P. Moller - Maersk adopted the solution for its entire owned vessel fleet.

“In a way, HydroPen™ is an embodiment of what we’ve been achieving: it improves safety for the crew, the cargo and the ship, and helps the owner avoid fire related risks to crews and assets – along with significant related financial costs.”

However, operators also increasingly looked to VIKING to cover safety needs “as a service”, says Carlsen. SMM therefore offered a key opportunity to showcase its new capabilities in marine fire services (MFS), following its acquisition of the Drew Marine Fire Safety division in 2019.

VIKING has consolidated the business with its own MFS, invested in a firefighting foam laboratory, opened an MFS training center and reached distribution agreements with foam supplier Dr. Sthamer. “The MFS team is now supported by a network of 150+ port locations and served by VIKING’s dedicated workshops and authorized service providers,” Carlsen adds.

In business growth terms, VIKING’s multi-brand lifeboat, rescue boat, launching and release gear maintenance, testing, retrofit and overhaul services was providing another relevant example. “We ensure quality and flexibility by controlling the entire service value chain including booking, administration, spares, execution, documentation, training and support,” he says.