Products & services

Wärtsilä ballast water treatment system granted IMO approval

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 16 December 2013 16 December 2013

Wärtsilä, a leading provider of products, solutions and services to the marine industry, has announced that its Wärtsilä AQUARIUS®EC (Electro-Chlorination) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) has been granted International Maritime Organization (IMO) Type Approval. This is in accordance with the requirements of the 2004 IMO Convention for the control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments and is an essential certification pre-requisite for the system to be used onboard ships.

The Type Approval was attained in co-operation with the Flag Administration of the Netherlands, independent testing facilities, and the Lloyds Register classification society. Testing and optimization of the system were carried out during both land-based and shipboard trials conducted in accordance with IMO requirements. Additional testing is planned to ensure full United States Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval for the Wärtsilä AQUARIUS®EC BWMS.

This is the second Wärtsilä BWMS to have been fully endorsed and type approved by the Flag Administration of the Netherlands, and represents the culmination of Wärtsilä's dedicated development programme that was initiated in 2010. The Wärtsilä AQUARIUS®UV BWMS was granted IMO Type Approval in 2012 and USCG Alternate Management System (AMS) acceptance in October 2013. The time required to complete Type Approval for an electro chlorination (EC) system is longer, as the EC treatment process makes use of an active substance that requires both intermediate Basic and Final approval from IMO GESAMP as pre-requisites to a Type Approval application. Compliance with the IMO Ballast Water Convention helps protect local eco-systems from the spread of harmful invasive species, while easing operational concerns for ship owners and operators.

"There is significant market demand for our BWMS as owners look to prepare their ships ahead of regulatory implementation. Type Approval for the AQUARIUS®EC is another important milestone that we have now passed in offering owners and operators around the world access to cost efficient, flexible, and environmentally sustainable means of complying with ballast water discharge regulations," says Dr Joe Thomas, Director, Wärtsilä Ballast Water Management Systems.

The Wärtsilä AQUARIUS®EC BWMS is based on a two-stage treatment process using proven and validated system components. Upon uptake, seawater is first passed through a back washing screen type filter. The filtered seawater then passes through a static mixer where hypochlorite generated in a side stream electrolysis process is injected and mixed to disinfect the water before entering the ballast tank. On discharge, water from the ballast tanks is pumped through the static mixer for a second time and residual chlorine (if any) is neutralized prior to discharge. The filter is not used during discharge. The modular approach provides maximum flexibility for system design and installation. Key components are positioned to suit available space, a major advantage when considering retrofit projects. Retrofit installations can be carried out either during dry docking, at the quayside, or whilst the ship is in operation, thus minimising downtime.

Wärtsilä's AQUARIUS BWMS range offers a choice of cost-effective technologies and through the company's BWMS Partnership programme, provides owners with lifecycle support for their BWMS installations. Wärtsilä provides a complete BWMS turnkey service that includes technical support, ship survey and system design, engineering, project management, procurement, installation, commissioning, and after-sales support via the company's extensive global network of service and repair facilities.

Wärtsilä to supply propulsion package to German short haul ferry

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 12 December 2013 12 December 2013

Wärtsilä, a leading solutions and services provider in the marine industry, will provide a full propulsion package for a new passenger ferry being built for the Germany based Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH. The contract was signed in October 2013 with Fr. Fassmer GmbH, the shipyard responsible for the vessel's construction, Wärtsilä said in a statement.

The new ferry will operate between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland in Germany. This route will take it close to the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea national park, an ecologically sensitive UNESCO World Heritage listed area in the south-eastern part of the North Sea. Because of the need to minimize exhaust gas emissions in this area, the ferry will operate primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG) using two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF medium-speed dual-fuel engines.

The selected engines are the latest generation of the Wärtsilä 20DF series. They offer an increased output of five per cent and a reduction of seven per cent in fuel consumption in gas mode, compared to earlier versions of the engine.

In addition to the propulsion machinery, Wärtsilä will also supply its LNGPac fuel bunkering and supply system with related safety and automation systems. The scope of supply also includes Wärtsilä's patented Cold Recovery System, which utilises the latent heat of LNG in the ship's air conditioning systems, thus reducing the amount of electricity consumed in cooling compressors. This provides significant operational savings and an increase in overall vessel efficiency, while adding to the environmental benefits of the Wärtsilä solution.

"As the vessel must fulfil the IMO regulations regarding SOx and NOx emissions in the North Sea's Emissions Control Area, its operations need to be ecologically friendly with the lowest possible emissions. At the same time, perfect manoeuvrability and reliability are most important. Thanks to Wärtsilä's dual-fuel technology with its built-in redundancy, the vessel can operate very efficiently and without restrictions in the emissions regulated areas. Furthermore it was very important for us to select a reliable and experienced partner. We already know Wärtsilä's capabilities as the company retrofitted our MS "Ostfriesland", delivering a full propulsion package with a minimum of interfaces," says Dr Bernhard Brons, Chairman of AG EMS the parent company of Reederei Cassen Eils.

"The overriding priorities set by the owners for this new ferry were environmental performance, energy efficiency, and the reliability of the propulsion machinery since the ferry will be in daily service. Wärtsilä's strong reference list clearly demonstrates our capabilities in all these areas," says Matthias Becker, General Manager Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

The vessel is scheduled to be delivered and ready for service during the first half of 2015. In April of this year, Wärtsilä was also contracted to retrofit the 'Ostfriesland', a ferry operating in the same environmentally sensitive waters, for LNG fuel use.

Trimline wins contract to upgrade, extend facilities on British ferry

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 06 December 2013 06 December 2013

Trimline, the UK based service provider to the passenger shipping industry, say theyhave won a major contract with Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries to refurbish and extend the Red Falcon, a 94 metre passenger and vehicle ferry based in Southampton.

Red Falcon is due to undergo the work in Southampton inFebruary 2014, with Trimline undertaking the biggest steel structural work in the company’s history to extend the Promenade Deck.

Two brand new lounges are to be added to the Promenade Deck, extending the existing deck area by approximately 240m2 providing 55 per cent more internal seating for passengers. The creation of the new lounges will see Trimlineinstall the steel structure, windows, doors, disabled toilets and extend the current lift on the ship by one deck. They will then create and fit new bars in each lounge, install new flooring and furniture, new ceilings and will overhaul the current air conditioning system throughout the ship.

Trimline will also be refitting B Deck on the Red Falcon, which will include the installation of new catering facilities including hot and cold serveries, a new galley and dishwashing facility, the construction of a new freezer room, a new bar and information area, refurbishment of the existing coffee bar and installation of 34 flat screen TV’s.

Darren Smith, Business Development Manager at Trimline, commented: “For Trimline to be taking on such major structural work to a ship is a reflection of how much we are growing as a company. The Red Falcon contract demonstrates that we are continuing to diversify what we offer clients andemphasises our different approach to marine interiors.”

Murray Carter, Operations Director at Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferries, said: “We are delighted that Trimline will be undertaking the work to Red Falcon in the New Year. We were impressed by Trimline’s strategic approach to the project and that they are able to offer a total turnkey solution.”

Trimline will be fitting new seating to the Outside Deck to complete the passenger experience. The work is expected to last two months with the ferry ready for Easter 2014.

Lloyd's Register unveils refreshed brand identity

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 09 December 2013 09 December 2013

Lloyd’s Register (LR) today unveiled a refreshed brand identity, with the introduction of a new logo that celebrates the culture of innovation built over the company’s 253-year history.

LR has undergone significant change and growth over recent years, having grown to a £1 billion-turnover service provider with over 9,000 employees worldwide and undertaken the acquisitions of ODS, Human Engineering, ModuSpec, Scandpower and West Engineering. The group has also restructured to create the Lloyd’s Register Foundation as the organisation’s parent entity, invested in technology leadership through its global technology centres, diversified its services further into energy and rail, and expanded its management systems business, LRQA.

In September 2013, it announced a significant investment in Senergy, an integrated energy services company.

Richard Sadler, LR Group CEO laid out the reasons for the change: "We wanted to refresh our brand identity to reflect these changes to the market, our clients and all our stakeholders – with a logo that works in the digital age."

"We took inspiration for our new logo from the LR stamp – the true ‘brand’ that our surveyors have stamped into steel as proof of approval since 1884. But this is not a name change – we will continue to be called Lloyd’s Register, recognising the value that the Lloyd’s name has around the world as a mark of quality."

"Our new identity reflects our heritage and our continued commitment to independence, technical excellence and public benefit. And the new logo is a device that links together all the members in our group, including LRQA, making our broad service portfolio easier to navigate."

Mark Stokes, Group Communications Director, said: "In line with our ethos of sustainability, to minimise the environmental impact we are introducing our new logo on digital items first. You will still see our old logo in use for a while on printed material and on our employees' safety equipment which will be replaced gradually through wear and tear."

Independence

LR’s reputation as an independent body – with safety, integrity and high standards as guiding principles – has been built up over 250 years. The Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a UK registered charity, is the parent entity in the organisation. The operating company, Lloyd’s Register Group Ltd (Lloyd’s Register) and its subsidiaries, is a professional services organisation that generates profits that fund the public benefit activities of the Foundation.

"Our independence from shareholder dividends and government control marks us out as truly different, meaning that we provide impartial and informed advice that clients can trust, free from compromise, free from prejudice," said Stokes.

"Our clients face continued pressure for transparency, environmental stewardship, corporate responsibility, profitability and safe, sustainable operations. Our obligation is to support our clients in meeting these demands – with intelligent, practical and expert advice to help them build truly a sustainable business."

Technical excellence

LR has confirmed a commitment to innovation through the investment of around £100 million in two global technology centres, in Southampton, UK and Singapore. LR is developing and supporting the innovations that will play a vital role in the immediate and long-term future of shipping and energy.

"As an independent third-party, we need to keep at the forefront of technology and increasingly understand the fundamental science and academic analysis behind new technologies. The two GTCs will serve as the cornerstones of our global R&D network that, along with the activities of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, will help to provide society and industry with the advanced technologies, systems and solutions required for this increasingly complex world," said Sadler.

Public benefit

The Lloyd’s Register organisation is a global body with a mission to protect life and property and advance transportation and engineering education and research. The parent entity in the organisation, Lloyd’s Register Foundation, is a charity, with a mission to fund science, engineering and technology research for public benefit worldwide.

The operating company, LR, is a professional services business that generates the profits that fund the public benefit activities. Its compliance, risk and technical consultancy services directly support a significant part of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s charitable objectives, to enhance the safety of life, property and the environment by helping our clients to ensure the quality construction and operation of critical infrastructure.

On the launch of LR’s new identity, Sadler said, "LR is a truly unique organisation; a global body with a mission to protect life and property and advance transportation and engineering education and research. Our heritage is an important part of our culture and forward-thinking approach to our business and the new identity should serve us well in the years ahead."

MEIKO receives Mercury Award for M-iQ technology

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Products & services Products & services; Published: 05 December 2013 05 December 2013

When it comes to providing catering services to passengers, the standards set by airlines, rail operators and shipping companies are extremely high. To acknowledge these efforts, the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) – which represents the interests of companies in the industry – presents its highly-prized Mercury Awards every two years. Widely regarded as an important distinction, the Mercury Awards serve to identify the strongest partners in the travel catering industry. This year's prize in the "Heavy Equipment" category went to the German dishwasher manufacturer MEIKO. The Offenburg, Germany-based company received the award for its latest generation of M-iQ flight and rack-type dishwashing machines which are used at major airports all over the world.

"This prize is a clear acknowledgement of our innovation leadership. It celebrates the close cooperation between MEIKO and its customers," says Klaus Engesser, MEIKO's head of exports, clearly delighted with the news.

Together with Eric Waag – Key Account Manager at MEIKO in the Inflight Catering department – Engesser accepted the prize in Abu Dhabi in late November 2013. The awards ceremony was held at the Shangri La Hotel as part of the ITCA gala event. The golden statuette of the Roman God Mercury was presented to MEIKO by Tomas Jamtander from Addis International Catering before setting out on its journey back to MEIKO's headquarters in Offenburg, Germany.

This is the second time that MEIKO has won a trophy at the Mercury Awards, which are presented in a total of six categories. "We also see this award as a confirmation that we are offering exactly what our customers need – from the M-iQ machines' energy concept, which makes efficient use of thermal energy in the cleaning process, to our tremendously high hygiene standards and our new filter system that uses just a fraction of the fresh water required by older systems," says Engesser. The jurors were particularly impressed by a number of features, including the smart, user-friendly design of the human-machine interface with its hygienic touch screen and components clearly marked in blue that make it even easier to operate the machine.

When it first embarked on its search for candidates for this year's Mercury Awards, the ITCA clearly stated that it was looking for clear examples of excellence among its industry partners. MEIKO ticked all the right boxes thanks to its outstanding achievements in the fields of innovation, creativity, quality, reliability, cost efficiency and customer satisfaction. "We're proud to be among the best partners in the eyes of the International Travel Catering Association. We see this award both as an honour and as an incentive to continue producing excellent results," Engesser adds.