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Heineken launches Brewlock – a new draught technology

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 01 September 2014 01 September 2014

HEINEKEN Global Duty Free announces the launch of BrewLock, a new 100% recyclable draught innovation that ensures a consistent and outstanding taste experience, by delivering draught beer at brewery quality to consumers onboard cruise lines and ferries.

BrewLock is a revolutionary new draught technology developed by HEINEKEN to let consumers enjoy their draught beer at brewery quality, at significantly reduced logistical and handling complexity.

While standard keg systems require additional gas and regulator systems to pull beer to the tap, the BrewLock system uses a multi layered keg that relies on normal atmospheric air to squeeze the inner wall and push the beer through to the faucet. This way the system is more easy to operate and protects the beer from outside influences, leaving it untouched, ensuring the beer stays at brewery quality.

The beer in the inner lining is completely sealed in, so the consumer receives a fresh tasting, perfectly carbonated beer. As a result, the consumer experience is a perfect pour every time and one that is refreshing to the last drop.

Sean McNaughten, Manager, Global Duty Free & Travel Retail, HEINEKEN explains: “We’ve been working intensively to perfect a draught beer solution for our ‘sailing’ customers in our shared objective to bring the perfect serve to consumers.  Our investment in this pioneering technology is a real game changer for the industry and revolutionizes the way beer is brought to and enjoyed in the cruise and ferry sectors. As we always say the main reason for ordering a second beer is the quality of the first.”

Koos Vrijlandt, Global Manager Cruiselines for HEINEKEN Global Duty Free comments: “This is a one-way keg solution that brings environmental advancements: the PET keg and outer cardboard are 100% recyclable and also there is no return journey for the empty keg back to the brewery.  This brings about efficiencies in the supply chain.” In comparison to steel kegs, BrewLock kegs are 25% lighter- and therefore safer and easier to handle, are horizontally stackable when not in use, and have a considerably smaller footprint in the cooler and storage.

The system is designed for optimal ease of use with quick keg change-over thanks to an EasyFit coupler making it simple for any trained staff member to change the keg in seconds with no mess.

Initially launched in June with Royal Caribbean International, the cruise line known for innovating vacations on land and sea, the 20L BrewLock keg will be available to other cruise and ferry operators from September, offering a breakthrough dispensing system, developed by HEINEKEN, to bring brewery-fresh beer to the consumer.  

Royal Caribbean International’s Director of Beverage Operations Roseann Grippo adds: “Not only is the BrewLock system extremely easy to operate, it’s intuitive enough for our talented staff members to become quickly accustomed to and with no returns required the administrative burden is removed.  

“We’ve had fantastic feedback from all our staff on the benefits of BrewLock. The flow from the tap is smooth and the foam produced adds to the flavour giving us a consistent quality for our guests to enjoy.”

Brands initially available for the BrewLock system are Heineken and Newcastle Brown Ale with new brands being added in 2015.

The cutting edge technology of Brewlock offers an outstanding taste for consumers, consistent quality with every pour, 100% recyclability and cost savings.

GreenSteam to promote GreenSteamOptimizer at SMM in Hamburg

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 27 August 2014 27 August 2014

GreenSteam, the Danish technology company, says it will promote is GreenSteamOptimizer at the SMM event in Hsamburg next month. "Making good decisions on-board based on sound and accurate data is the basis for efficient operation of any vessel. GreenSteam Optimizer is our on-board decision support system that is an adaptive, data-driven solution, helping the Master to make the right decisions," the company said in a statement.

Ship owners are now facing their biggest industry challenge ever, with both fuel costs and legislative efficiency targets. Achieving the absolute maximum fuel efficiency for a vessel means operating at the most efficient speed using as little fuel as possible. The optimal settings and parameters such as trim, draft are a vital in setting up the vessel, and depend on a range of conditions such as load, waves, wind, water depth, and many other factors. By continually optimizing the trim and draft of the vessel based on data collected onboard the vessel, propulsion resistance is minimized, saving fuel.

The GreenSteam Optimizer is compact and intuitive, simple to use, and fitting the unit to existing vessels is simple and straightforward requiring no major modification of the ship. Importantly, installation takes less than a day if the cabling has been prepared. The system consists of 2 small GreenSteam radars installed in the bridge wings, and touch screen console which connects to wind and flow meter sensors, trim and the radars.

This data can be made available to users in various convenient ways, allowing the customer to carry out high-quality analyses of the vessel. The collected data is of a much higher frequency and quality than for example what is obtained through so-called ‘noon reporting’.

“We are very excited about showing off our systems at SMM in September, and looking forward to the opportunity to meet people at our stand at theDanish Pavilion Hall B1. EG,” says Daniel J. Jacobsen CEO & Co-founder of GreenSteam.

Trimline create demonstration galley at Southampton headquarters

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 19 August 2014 19 August 2014

Trimline, Southampton-based marine interior refurbishment specialists, in partnership with MKN and support from Wexiödisk, Porkka, Halton Marine and Marine Systems Technology Ltd, is installing a demonstration galley at its Southampton headquarters. This state-of-the-art facility is being created to enable both suppliers and partners the opportunity to display and use the facilities, test new products and experience how they could work on ships within the replicated galley environment.

The facility will be fitted with the latest technologies and products, helping ship operators understand the environmental benefits and financial savings that can be made by using the most innovative of galley technology.  The galley will also function as a training venue for chefs to learn how to use new equipment. Another vital aspect will be the opportunity for chefs to replicate their own recipes within the Trimline galley to test the performance and taste quality of the equipment.

A MKN Flexi Combi Oven and Flexi Chef, both with touch screen control panels, will be accompanied by an induction hob, a Wexiödisk undercounter dishwasher and a refrigerator and a combination fridge freezer from Porkka. A Halton Capture Jet hood with UV light technology and the latest energy saving M.A.R.V.E.L. system will complete the galley. Using infra-red sensors and other intelligent controls, the hood optimises the level of extraction saving operators both energy and money.

Colin Stapley, Business Development Manager – Catering at Trimline, said: “The addition of a demonstration galley to Trimline is a fantastic step towards the company’s commitment towards our customers and suppliers. It is essential for us that we match cost, performance and energy savings with excellent products that produce outstanding food. The galley will allow us to show our clients exactly what these innovative products can do and allow them the opportunity to practise within the kitchen before they make a commitment.”

Gary Oliver, Managing Director at Trimline, said: “This is a very exciting time for Trimline. Ahead of our 50th Anniversary in 2015, we are taking another step towards the progression of the company for the next 50 years. The galley will allow us to understand the catering needs of our client base, something that will be essential to the longevity of the company.”

The demonstration galley is due to be completed at the beginning of October and will be welcoming its first guests at the end of October.

Evac invests in advanced wastewater treatment technology

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Products & services Products & services

Published: 16 August 2014 16 August 2014

Evac Oy has acquired the CleanSea Marine business from Headworks Bio Inc.. Headworks Bio is a fore runner in the field of land based municipal and industrial wastewater treatment as well as in marine wastewater treatment applications. Through this acquisition Evac gains a competitive edge regarding advanced wastewater treatment business and technology within the maritime segment worldwide. Business and license agreements were signed for the CleanSea MBBR technology.

"This move will strengthen our role in the growing market of wastewater treatment and will further enhance our total waste management solution for our main customers," says Tomi Gardemeister, President and CEO of the Evac Group. The acquisition of a competitive technology from a strong partner like Headworks Bio will give us the chance to accelerate our development. This agreement will deliver clear customer benefits by providing a proven alternative wastewater treatment solution, CleanSea MBBR technology, for our marine customers."

"Ideally our cruise customers' environmental needs can now be solved through one single contact point, meaning that communication will be simple and efficient and after sales services are easily available, too. We now have the ability to provide optimal solutions on AWP no matter what vessel type or size," says Mika Karjalainen, COO of Evac Oy.

"Two major players will join forces in product development to deliver innovative high quality solutions to meet demands for our most precious resource, clean water. Through this divestiture Headworks Bio continues its focus on land based applications and Evac on the marine sector. The fit with Evac combined with their excellent existing product line is perfect and we will provide whatever support they require to make this a seamless transition for their customers in the marine sector," notes Michele LaNoue, CEO of Headworks Bio.

A few years ago the Houston-based company acquired Hydroxyl, which had been supplying the maritime industry with advanced wastewater cleaning systems for years. References of the wastewater treatment systems include Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's cruise ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Earlier deliveries include the Radiance and Millennium class cruise ships.

"This agreement facilitates a breakthrough to Evac. The CleanSea MBBR technology is already well known in the cruise ship segment having the world's largest cruise ship references. In this deal we combine the excellent technology know-how of Headworks with Evac's know-how on maritime system applications. Headworks Bio has over the years continued to develop and refine their wastewater treatment technology, why I think we now can offer an excellent system for our shipowner clients," adds Karjalainen. "From now on we will consequently also be in charge of the after-sales activities regarding all the cruise ships to which Headworks Bio, and earlier Hydroxyl, have supplied their advanced wastewater cleaning system."

Wastewater cleaning market growing

According to industry estimates, the advanced wastewater treatment market will continue to grow in coming years. This is due to both a rebound in the cruise business, after years of slow demand, and also due to ever tightening environmental regulations.

There are three main wastewater treatment technologies in use on the maritime market today. There is the ‘flotation technology’, also used by Headworks Bio, the Membrane Bioreactor 'flat sheet membrane' system, and the external submerged membrane system. The technology developed by Headworks Bio, and now acquired by Evac for maritime applications, is an advanced system based on flotation. This type of technology is the most popular on big cruise ships today.
Evac can now offer two technologies for advanced wastewater treatment system portfolio. The Evac Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) has proven popular for smaller to medium size cruise ships and other types of vessels, and has also proven popular for river cruise ships. The latest reference cruise vessel cleaning its waste with Evac's MBR is M/S Europa 2, the five star luxury cruise ship newbuilding owned by NYK.

The acquired Cleansea MBBR wastewater cleaning technology is applicable for the latest international environmental regulations, the International Maritime Organisation IMO MEPC.227(64) Resolution as well as the IMO MEPC.200(62) Baltic Sea rules.

In February this year Evac received thee type approval certificates for its Evac Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) advanced wastewater treatment system for these regulations, as well as the type certification for using this system on the Rhine River.

Evac's total scope of supply

Through the acquisition of Headwork's maritime wastewater treatment technology, Evac can now supply the entire scope of waste handling. These include grey and black water waste and now two types of wastewater treatment technologies for ships, handling of galley waste and waste from showers and sanitary units using Evac's advanced vacuum technology, the handling, compacting and incineration of dry waste using Evac's specially developed incinerators. "I think a benefit of being able to supply a total scope like this is that the shipyard does not have to use its resources on system integration. Evac handles that part," says Karjalainen.

Technical description

The advanced wastewater treatment plants used in maritime applications are all based on biological treatment. In short, in the Evac Membrane Bioreactor, the solids, down to bacteria size, are extracted using a membrane through ultra-filtration, quite like in an osmosis process. In the Flotation System the solids are extracted through a flotation process, where small polyethylene modules help advance the biological treatment process. In this system the particles lighter than water are extracted from the surface and the heavier are extracted from the bottom of the tank. A mechanical filter is used in the end of the process and ultra-violet light is used to handle the bacteria.

In the CleanSea MBBR all the wastewater is collected into a mixing tank. The solids are initially removed by coarse screening. The water then enters a three stage biological reactor using a moving bed biological technology using small highly efficient polyethylene modules to attract and grow bacteria culture, fed with oxygen pumped into the tanks. The bacteria consume the organics in the water. The secondary solids are removed using a dissolved air floatation unit, and the last step is to polish the water using a fine filter. After the final filtration stage, the water is pumped through an ultraviolet system which disinfects the water and is then either discharged overboard or stored in storage tanks for later discharge. All solids are stored in holding tanks for later treatment through dewatered and incineration, or taken to wastewater treatment facilities ashore.

The system has an advanced control system automating the wastewater treatment process. It is designed to be as user friendly as possible. With the exception of the bioreactor, everything in the system is redundant. The control system, comprising some 14 individual units, is designed so that if one unit goes offline it automatically switches to the other. The big system supplied for Oasis and Allure of the Seas are capable to handle 3,000cu.m. per day, more capacity than the wastewater plants in some cities.

Both the MBR and the CleanSea MBBR technology now acquired from Headworks Bio are protected by patents.