Products & services

Valmet to supply automation for Tallink's new-generation LNG-powered fast ferry

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 08 September 2015 08 September 2015

Valmet will supply an automation system for the new-generation, LNG-powered fast ferry for the Tallinn-Helsinki route shuttle operations between Estonia and Finland. The vessel will be built by the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland and will be operated by Tallink. The automation system will be delivered in April 2016. The order was included in Valmet's second quarter 2015 orders received.

"We have had very good experience with the performance of Valmet's automation system on other Tallink vessels as well as with high-level service support available both in Finland and Estonia," says Andres Lepik, Tallink's project manager for the new vessel.

"Our automation system well supports the operation of this highly advanced and environmentally friendly LNG-powered car-passenger ferry," says John Weierud, Director, Marine Automation, Valmet.

The new ship will be 212 meters in length and have a passenger capacity of 2,800, a gross tonnage of 49,000 and service speed of 27 knots. It uses LNG as fuel and will comply with the new and stricter emission regulations for the Emission Control Areas including the Baltic Sea. The ship is due to be delivered at the beginning of 2017.

Detailed information about Valmet's delivery

The automation system for the ship will be a Valmet DNA distributed control system. It is a powerful and fully redundant system designed to handle the control and monitoring needs of even the largest and most complex vessels.

The automation will control and monitor the machinery systems and the electric power management system, and include an emergency shutdown system (ESD). The latter is a standalone system based on the same Valmet DNA system platform. Valmet's engineering team will handle the project from detailed design, programming and testing to onboard commissioning and completed sea trials.

Trimline transform ship repairs with their new In-Service Support Department

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 03 August 2015 03 August 2015

Marine interior refurbishment specialists Trimline have achieved another first with the launch of their In-Service Support Department, providing a one-stop-shop solution to identify, plan and deliver maintenance activities ‘on the run’ to maintain a high standard between refurbishments. At a time when operators are moving towards longer periods between refurbishments, the In-Service Support service allows vessels to meet passengers’ most demanding expectations without the need to have specialist staff on call 24/7. Trimline are long-established leaders in full turnkey marine refurbishments and their new team will provide round-the-clock support to fleets in excess of 50 vessels, which can continue to operate without loss of revenue.

Ongoing condition reporting and assessment will be undertaken by experienced Surveyors to identify necessary repairs and improvements to any area of the vessel including galley, laundry, wet rooms, pools, spas, dance floor, carpeting, carpentry, joinery, upholstery, laminate, marble, flooring, tiling, bulkheads and deckheads, resulting in the client receiving a detailed and prioritised report. A programme of work can then be agreed, focusing on maximising value and minimising disruption to passengers or crew. A web portal, already used by some clients, will allow instant reporting of issues and the rapid establishment of KPIs, budgets and deadlines.

The team will be managed by newly appointed In-Service Support Director Ian Jolliffe, who has 15 years’ experience in marine engineering and business improvement at Sunseeker. Ian will be supported by Catering In-Service Support Manager Ieuan Wathen, who is renowned for his expertise in galley design, troubleshooting and maintenance. Under their leadership, the team is expected to grow rapidly, contributing 30% of Trimline’s total turnover within three to five years.

“Trimline is the first and at present only supplier to offer this unique service,” said Ian Jolliffe. “Our focus is to deliver excellent value and to constantly improve passenger experience by maintaining everything from galley to upholstery in between scheduled full refurbishments. We will be operating as a true one-stop-shop and it goes without saying that we will maintain the high standards for which Trimline is renowned.”

“This a huge step forward for the business and for our clients,” added CEO Andrew Richards. “We have always sought to minimise vessel downtime and control clients’ costs, but Ian and his team will deliver real continuity whilst taking our offering to the next level and transforming the way ship operators think and work.”

Damen launches second of two ferries for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 23 July 2015 23 July 2015

The second of two 80-metre ice class Ro-Pax ferries - the MV Legionnaire - has been launched at Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania. The naming was performed by Mrs. Lori Anne Companion, Deputy Minister at the Department of Transportation and Works of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

The MV Legionnaire is sister ship to the MV Veteran, launched earlier this year at the Romanian yard. Both vessels are part of a large vessel replacement programme being undertaken by the Provincial Government. 81 metres in length and with a beam of 17 metres, she will carry up to 200 passengers and 60 cars (PAE) at a cruising speed of 14 knots. MV Legionnaire will operate on the short-haul route from Portugal Cove to Bell Island, the busiest route of the province.

In his speech at the launch the Hon. Mr. David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works, said, “This launching brings a new home to the water. It is a significant milestone in the ship build process and a great achievement. It is a lifeline to the inhabitants of Bell Island and will play a significant role in people’s lives there for decades.” The vessel will be delivered to Newfoundland in the spring of 2016.

Meanwhile Damen is continuing to increase its presence in the province with plans for a certified service and maintenance centre in the capital of St. John’s now well advanced. Damen representatives also recently attended student career days at Newfoundland and Labrador’s Memorial University.

Eco-ferry Texelstroom launched in Spain

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 31 July 2015 31 July 2015

On 30 July, LaNaval, the Spanish shipyard, successfully launched “Texelstroom”, the ropax unit it is currently constructing on behalf of the Dutch ferry operator Koninklijke NV Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming (TESO). Alan Lam reports.

Designed by C-Job Naval Architects to replace an older vessel, Schulpengat, on the short 4.2-kilometre crossing between the Dutch island of Texel and Den Helder, the ice class ferry will be immensely fuel-efficient. Its over all energy consumption will be up to 30% lower than the vessel it replaces - a breakthrough in sustainability.

Supported by the EU i.Transfer funding programme, the newbuilding has a disproportionate emphasis on design and technology in correspondence to TESO’s service philosophy and its pledge to the environmental protection.

The dual-fuel Texelstroom will be an exceptionally “green” ferry, powered by both CNG and gas oil, with a capacity for 1,750 passengers and 350 cars. The ship will have 700m2 of solar panels installed on its wheelhouse deck, aiming to produce about 40-50% of hotel load energy requirement. The choice of CNG instead of LNG was driven by the lack of LNG infrastructure in the Netherlands.

It is a dual-bridged, double-ended vessel, designed for quick stevedoring operations and linear movement in either direction. The ship has twice the number of engines, as compared to other conventional ropaxes, with two completely independent engine rooms: one of them fitted with two ABC 2x2000 kW diesel engines and the other with two ABC dual fuel 2x2000 kW engines; each can provide enough power to continue the normal service up to wind force nine. It will have two Rolls Royce azimuth propellers at each end of the vessel to achieve a service speed of 10 and 15 knots. Battery electric power is employed to supply additional energy requirement and to reduce emissions while in ports.

LED lighting and optimised hull form are among a myriad of other energy efficient features of Texelstroom.

These rather unique features have brought about a significant increase in the cost of construction, as compared to that of other traditional designs.

Spain’s 100-year-old LaNaval Shipyard at Sestao won the building contract for this 135-metre vessel in 2014. The yard is known for its expertise in constructing offshore vessels and tankers. It has not built a passenger vessel for decades.

The construction process started on 1 September 2014. LaNaval is on course to deliver the ship in December this year.

Trimline appoints new CFO

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 23 July 2015 23 July 2015

Southampton-based marine interior specialists Trimline have appointed Michael Colebourn as their new Chief Financial Officer. As a key member of the senior management team, Michael will play a central part in Trimline’s future as the business continues to enjoy rapid growth.

After graduating from the University of Southampton with a BSc (Hons) in Accounting & Finance, Michael joined BDO and qualified as a chartered accountant, servicing a variety of industries throughout this period. He then gained broad experience of the maritime sector during eight years with Norwegian ship owner and maritime services specialist Wilhelmsen. Implementing new structures, systems and processes to partner the firm’s expansion, he also played an important role in restructuring whilst working alongside various global stakeholders. Away from work, Michael is married with a one-year-old daughter and he loves to keep fit, with particular interests in golf, football, tennis and triathlons.

“I’m very excited to be joining Trimline as they celebrate their fiftieth anniversary,” said Michael. “This is a company with strong foundations on which we can build an amazing future. I’m determined to make Trimline’s financial operations as cutting-edge as the services they provide and I am confident the business leaders will support me in everything I do.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Michael Colebourn to Trimline,” added CEO Andrew Richards. “His flair for business management and his extensive experience of the maritime industry make him an ideal fit for us and I’m confident that he will be crucial to our future plans. We are growing faster than ever and Michael’s financial strategies will help to take us to the next level.”