Work is due to start shortly on the first of a new class of Damen utility vessel UV2410. This multi-role platform is the result of extensive consultation with customers active in the aquaculture industry in the UK and Norway. For these customers it was important that the rule length of the new vessel be no more than 24-meters and, for UK customers in particular, that it fits within the 200 Gross Tonage limit. Feedback indicated that within that length maximum possible protected deck space and good seakeeping were top priorities, along with ample accommodation.

Image credit: Damen

The Utility Vessel 2410 delivers all these requirements and more besides. “With the wide beam of 9.5 meters and minimal superstructure this vessel provides 120 m² of unobstructed deck space, yet still has comfortable accommodation for up to six crew. The design is optimized for a wide range of roles including maintenance support, oil recovery, diving support, buoy handling, safety stand-by, ROV support, surveying and much more” said Lodewijk van Os, Product Director Workboats.

“It is also ideal for aquaculture, with easy access to the waterline amidships via steps and a three-metre opening in the bulwark, and the capability of mounting dedicated equipment including up to two cranes. In fact, the deck is pretty much ready for anything; A-frames, winches, davits for rescue boats, task-specific containers and many other types of equipment can be quickly added and removed as the vessel receives new assignments.”

The Utility Vessel 2410 shares many of the renowned attributes of other vessels from Damen’s extensive workboat ranges. As well as for aquaculture companies, Damen envisages that the 2410 will be very attractive to port authorities, governmental organizations, marine contractors and anyone involved in varied, water-based maintenance operations.

Trust is earned, and after equipping over 20 purpose supply vessels (PSV)/multipurpose supply vessels (MPSV), GE (NYSE: GE) is proud to have been chosen as the trusted partner of choice for Hornbeck Offshore Services’ (HOS) next generation of U.S. flag, Jones Act-qualified MPSVs, constructed at Eastern Shipbuilding.

The scope of GE technology onboard these two vessels include the first MKII MV3000 Active Front End (AFE) drive. Manufactured in Kidsgrove U.K., these drives have one of the highest power density of any drive ever produced by GE’s Marine Solutions, providing performance comparable to a much larger solution while occupying far less space onboard.

Hornbeck MPSV

In addition to the drives, GE has also provided its latest generation dynamic positioning (DP) system. With the help of HOS’ input, the SeaStream* DP system has a completely redesigned and improved user control interface. The new interface puts the control of the ship back into the hands of the mariner with simpler, intuitive controls allowing critical information to be delivered in an easy to comprehend manner for the user, which results in more efficient DP operations.

Commenting on the project, Ken Munroe, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Eastern Shipbuilding Group said, “GE has already provided equipment on more than 20 vessels built by us, which is a testimony of our trust in their solutions. Throughout our long-term relationship, we have been very happy with their high-performance solutions.”

“These are our flagship U.S. MPSVs, and we are delighted to have some of the newest and most-advanced technology from GE equipping them,” said William Krewsky, director of projects and engineering at Hornbeck Offshore. “The solution provided by GE has been met with initial appreciation by our fleet operators during the sea trials and delivery of the lead vessel.”

Tim Schweikert, president & CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions said, “At GE, customers define our success. We are delighted to provide the best of our solutions to enable Eastern Shipbuilding to build the next flagship vessels for HOS. Our longstanding relationship with them is a result of providing years of cutting-edge and reliable solutions, which have met their high standards.”

GE will provide its solutions for two of HOS’ MPSVs, both of which were delivered by the yard in January and April of this year, respectively. GE will also provide training to enable operators to use the new technology efficiently.

• Indicates a trademark of the General Electric Company and/or its subsidiaries.

The Damen Shipyards Group’s Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2610 is proving to be every bit as effective in the oil and gas sector as it is in the offshore wind industry. The application of the renowned design in this arena is a response to a move in offshore O&G towards the high-intensity use of flexible, multi-purpose vessels wherever possible so as to minimize costs. As a twin-hulled vessel, the FCS 2610 combines high speed and stability with substantial deck space for equipment and components. And, with Damen’s philosophy of building in series, the FCS 2610 is available on stock for extra fast delivery.

Damen’s FCS 2610 at sea. Image credit: Damen

Over 40 vessels of this model have been built to date, the majority for the support of wind farm operations, making it a well-proven support vessel in the challenging waters of the North Sea as well as other locations. With its Twin Axe hull design, it provides a stable platform with plenty of deck space, ideal for duties such as crew and cargo supply.

Feedback and initial orders from companies in the offshore oil and gas sector have demonstrated the FCS 2610 has a role to play in their search for the most economical ways to undertake maintenance and service work. Near the top of their lists are fast, flexible vessels capable of operating in a wide range of weather conditions and carrying quantities of both men and equipment. The FCS 2610 fits these criteria well as a high quality, multi-purpose workhorse. Damen FCS 2610 hulls are in stock ready for outfitting to meet the specific needs of individual customers. Options include a multi-purpose deck crane, flexible accommodation capacity, davits for FRC, the fitting of containers for specific roles and safety standby adaptions. Other customizations are readily available on request.

The Twin Axe hull design is a stable and fuel efficient platform for accessing offshore platforms, and, as such, is a valuable member of Damen’s marine access portfolio. This portfolio anticipates the need for cost reduction and logistics improvement, alongside increased safety, in the current oil and gas climate Furthermore, the advancement of minimal facility platforms also drives the need for efficient and safe marine access solutions in place of traditional offshore crew transfer solutions.

Kongsberg Maritime and Statoil have signed an agreement with Eelume, a NTNU spin-off company, to accelerate new technology that will significantly reduce costs related to subsea inspection, maintenance and repair operations.

NTNU and Sintef have conducted research on snake robotics for more than 10 years. Eelume is now developing a disruptive solution for underwater inspection and maintenance in the form of a swimming robot. The idea is to let these robots do inspection and light intervention jobs on the seabed, reducing the use of large and expensive vessels. With its snake-like form, the slender and flexible body of the Eelume robot provides access to confined areas that are difficult to access with existing technology.

Swimming down to subsea templates. Image credit: Kongsberg Maritime

Eelume robots will be permanently installed on the seabed and will perform planned and on-demand inspections and interventions. The solution can be installed on both existing and new fields where typical jobs include; visual inspection, cleaning, and adjusting valves and chokes. These jobs account for a large part of the total subsea inspection and intervention spend.

The strength of the collaboration lies in the unique contributions from each of the parties. Eelume is founded by top academics from NTNU, Kongsberg Maritime brings in 25 years of experience and technology development within marine robotics and Statoil provides access to real installations for testing and qualification. The combined efforts now include an exciting mix of entrepreneurial spirit, industrial competence, technology and a demanding end-customer. The result is a very robust development process from idea to market.

“With our unique expertise in the field of snake robotics Eelume is the first company in the world to bring these amazing robots into an industrial setting. Now we take the step from academia and into the commercial world to secure our place in the new and exciting subsea intervention landscape,” says Pål Liljebäck, CTO Eelume.

“This is a perfect example of how NTNU AMOS can contribute to bringing research based innovations into the market place through new spin-off companies and cooperation with leading industry players. Eelume is already the 5th spin-off company from researchers at NTNU AMOS and the third since 2013. SFF NTNU AMOS is strongly supported by the NTNU management, the Norwegian Research Council, Statoil, DNV GL and SINTEF Group,” says Asgeir J. Sørensen, Director, NTNU AMOS, Centre for Autonomous Marine Operations and Systems.

“As the main shareholder and responsible for business development in the company we think this is a perfect match for effectively introducing a new innovation based on NTNU inventions and competence into the market place. The support from Innovation Norway and the FORNY program in the Norwegian Research Council has been crucial to reach this milestone,” says Anders Aune, Head of TechTrans, NTNU Technology Transfer AS.

“This partnership offers the chance to bring radical technology to the market, not just in what the Eelume robot can do, but how it does it,” says Bjørn Jalving, Executive Vice President Subsea Division at Kongsberg Maritime. “It is a new tool that will enable operators to realise large scale cost savings by introducing new ways of conducting routine tasks and helping to prevent unscheduled shutdowns by reacting instantly when required.”

“Eelume is a good example of how new technology and innovation contributes to cost reduction. Instead of using large and expensive vessels for small jobs, we now introduce a flexible robot acting as a self-going janitor on the seabed. To support smaller companies in bringing new technology to the market is an important part of our research portfolio,” says Statoil’s Chief technology officer Elisabeth Birkeland Kvalheim.

Watch an animation of the innovative new Eelume snake robot in action:
Animation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgDrZWlV5Ss

From small trawlers to large container ships, producing clean, fresh water while underway is an essential shipboard operation. Thousands of professional mariners have placed their trust in FCI Watermakers for their desalinization needs. The company's ultra-reliable Neptune and Poseidon lines offer simple and cost-effective use, and require little maintenance.

The innovative Neptune is one of the most adaptable commercial watermakers available. It's offered in both a framed and modular configuration for ease of installation—no need to torch a hole to fit it in—and has a small footprint. It'll make from 1,275 to 9,500 gallons per day (GPD) and is built to run non-stop, 24/7, with a low power draw.

With the ability to make up to 40,000 GPD, the high-output, state-of-the-art Poseidon is built with unrivaled quality. It's available in a compact frame and easily installed as a refit or in a new build. Like the Neptune, it's highly tolerant of changing water salinity and turbidity.

Both are simple to operate using FCI Watermakers' industry-leading V4 Controller. The 7" touchscreen panel is intuitive to set up a scheduled process or maintenance event. It has type approval certifications from ABS, GL, Lloyd's Register EMEA, Det Norske Veritas and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping.

Because the Neptune and Poseidon use only commercial grade, belt-driven pump and motor assemblies, maintenance is minimal. And when it's time to replace disposables, they're all low-cost, non-proprietary parts—an important consideration for vessels destined for foreign ports.

There is something about Italian products, from consumer goods to industrial objects, that carries a stylistic flair. This is well represented in the cruise ships of the Fincantieri Shipyard, such as the 2015-delivered Britannia. More recently this flair for design and quality construction is evident in the 2016-delivered fast supply vessel Blue Brother from Cantiere Navale Vittoria SPA of Adria, on the Canal Bianco which connects to the Po River in the province of Rovigo,Italy.

Tecnonavi SRL of Ancona, Italy designed the 51.75 by 9.2-meter vessel. The aluminum hull, with a depth of 2.2 meters, is painted a bright red with a white superstructure. The well-fendered bow and stern allows for personnel transfers both fore and aft. The forward mounted accommodation has seating for 71 passengers and accommodations for up to 14 crewmembers. A crane-launched rescue craft is located on the upper deck, aft of the wheelhouse.

The vessel is fitted with a Dynamic Positioning 2 system from Kongsberg that includes two bow thrusters as a part of the required redundancy. Main propulsion power for the vessel is four Cummins KTA50-M2 diesels, each rated for 1342 kW (1800 HP) each at 1900 RPM. The engines each turn a fixed propeller through ZF 5050 A gearboxes with 2.962:1 reduction. The four engines deliver a total of 5,372 kW (7200 HP) to give the Blue Brother a top speed of 28 knots.

Capacities include 120 cu. meters of fuel, 115 CM or water and 1.5 CM of lube oil. While remaining under the ownership of the shipyard group, the boat will join the fleet of Bambini SRL under charter.

Crowley Maritime Corp. has taken delivery of Louisiana, the third of four new, Jones Act product tankers being built for the company by Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI), the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA. The delivery marks another highpoint for Crowley’s petroleum services group as its tankers are at the forefront of the industry for their potential future conversion to LNG propulsion.

Louisiana, which is 50,000 dead-weight-tons (dwt) and capable of carrying 330,000-barrels of product, is scheduled to be christened in New Orleans on May 5. Crowley’s fourth product tanker is under construction at PSI, and delivery is planned for third quarter 2016.

Credit: Crowley Maritime Corp.

Louisiana joins sister ships Ohio and Texas, which were received by Crowley in 2015 as the first-ever tankers to receive the American Bureau of Shipping’s (ABS) LNG-Ready Level 1 approval. The approval allows Crowley to convert the tanker to liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion in the future.

“The Louisiana’s delivery continues to enhance the services we are able to provide to our petroleum customers,” said Crowley’s Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services. “We celebrate new tonnage and the advanced technology, but most important to us and to our customers are the highly trained men and women of Crowley who are committed to transporting their fuel in the safest, most reliable way possible.”

“Milestones like today show we can deliver solutions that reinforce the value of the Jones Act vessels and American-built and American-crewed trade,” Grune said.

The new 50,000-dwt product tankers are based on a proven Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) design that incorporates numerous fuel efficiency features, flexible cargo capability and the latest regulatory requirements. The vessel is 600 feet long and is capable of carrying crude oil or refined petroleum products, as well as various chemical cargoes.

“We are proud to deliver another Philly-born tanker, the shipyard’s fifth tanker for Crowley and 23^rd vessel in total,” remarked Philly Shipyard’s President and CEO Steinar Nerbovik. “On behalf of the men and women who built her, we are honored knowing that the Louisiana will be another safe and quality addition to Crowley’s fleet that will serve its mariners and our nation’s waterways for decades to follow.”

Crowley’s marine solutions group is providing construction management services for the product tankers. The company has an on-site office and personnel at the Philadelphia shipyard to ensure strong working relationships with shipyard staff and a seamless construction and delivery program. Crowley routinely provides shipyard construction management services for third-party clients as well.

In the second half of 2015 application of Ecolock started on a newbuild Floating Storage and Regastification Unit (FSRU) in China. This is the second project carried out for EXMAR nv, after the application on the Caribbean FLNG in 2013.

Photo credit: Hydrex

Like the first project, the FSRU is built in blocks and these blocks are coated individually before assembly, leaving only the weld seams and the areas inaccessible due to the support blocks to be painted after the barge is assembled. The Ecolock system consists of a single, homogenous covering of the steel. Painting over weld seams after the blocks have been assembled is very easy. It leaves a smooth finished surface and the erection joint paint blends in perfectly with the coating of the rest of the hull.

As with all Ecolock applications, a trained and qualified paint inspector is on site monitoring the entire preparation and application to ensure adherence to the specifications at each step of the process and to assist with any problems that may arise. This is essential for a coating that is intended to last the life of the ship. Ecolock comes with a warranty as long as it is standardly applied and if the coating is maintained according to the specifications.

The application on the FSRU is scheduled to be finalized later this year with a planned delivery of the unit not much after.

Hili Company, the logistics division of Hili Ventures, has entered into a joint venture agreement with leading international energy logistics company Peterson, to provide oil and gas logistics services across the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Due to growing customer demand from the region, Peterson (Malta) Ltd will provide supply base services, warehousing and logistics management, procurement and recruitment, for oil and gas clients in the Mediterranean and North Africa. The company currently has more than 2,000 square meters of freetrade zone warehousing space in Malta, with access to a further 4,000 square meters of yard space for logistics supply base services.

Peterson offers a comprehensive range of safe, reliable and value added logistics solutions to the global energy industry from locations including the Netherlands, North America and the northeast of Scotland. Established in 1920, the organisation has expanded throughout the UK with facilities at several prominent ports, including an integrated asset base in Aberdeen.

The joint venture marries Peterson’s expertise in global oil and gas support with the wide-ranging capabilities of Hili Company, an internationally-focused group incorporating key capabilities in logistics, including global air, road and sea freight, ship agency and tramper services, clearances and deliveries, warehousing, courier solutions, ship-to-ship operations, and project cargo.

Its portfolio includes Mediterranean shipping and logistics firm Carmelo Caruana Company Ltd, logistics firms Baltic Freight Services, operating from Vilnius, and Prime Logistics based in Minsk, and a joint venture with leading shipping line CMA CGM.

Hili Company chief executive officer Davide Biron said: “We were attracted to Peterson because of its innovative approach to the oil and gas industry, with a strong focus on technology and collaboration. The joint venture will combine our broad range of capabilities with decades of oil and gas logistics experience from Peterson. Peterson is able to partner customers for a wide spectrum of operations and projects, including the decommissioning of oil rigs and repairs.”

Peterson director Jim McSporran said: “Our agreement with Hili Company provides us with additional strength to better serve our clients in this important region. As a result, we look forward to providing customers in the Mediterranean and North Africa with even greater cost-effective and innovative supply chain solutions.

“Our continuing investment in technology allows us to offer customers industry- leading solutions through our suite of digital applications which includes eCargo, the first system to digitise quayside operations, making them more transparent and efficient, including the handling of transport requests, container management and cost allocation for supply vessel pools.”

Ulstein introduces the LX109 design, a high capacity, highly efficient cable lay vessel with compact dimensions. The completely new, patent pending, ULSTEIN Cable Arch system in combination with open top vessel design results in an unprecedented total of 12,500 t of power cable that can be laid as one single piece.

Image credit: Ulstein

A unique feature is the ULSTEIN Cable Arch connecting the forward and aft turntables, allowing to load and lay one continuous cable of up to 12,500 ton. This capacity was made possible by positioning the turntables into the hull instead of their conventional location on deck, improving vessel’s stability. A feature also applied by Ulstein on a rock installation vessel currently under construction. This approach resulted in a slim vessel that can transport and lay cable much more efficient than conventional vessel designs with larger beams.

Locating the a-symmetrical bridge aft, with the cable passing underneath, provides clear and unobstructed views on the cable lay work deck and cable stingers aft and the turntables forward. Furthermore the vessel features a large hangar with ROV moonpool and workboat storage. In combination with the well-known X-BOW® and X-STERNTM hull features, this results in a very cost efficient, safe and comfortable platform with superior operational uptime and transit speed compared to more traditional cable lay units.

“With this design we like to bring the cable lay market to the next level,” says Edwin van Leeuwen, Product Management Leader at Ulstein Design & Solutions. “Using the ship and equipment knowledge available in the Ulstein Group, resulted in a revolutionary, truly integrated design, based on existing technologies. By focusing on a dedicated vessel for cable lay projects, we have been able to dramatically improve on project economy, seakeeping behavior and fuel economy.”

Fast Supply Vessels (FSV) are tasked with delivering cargo and crew to oil and gas platforms, and other offshore operations with speeds unheard of in a crew boat 20 years ago. SEACOR Marine's newest FSV, the Alya McCall, relies on five high-performance Twin Disc MGX-61500SC QuickShift® transmissions. They provide the crucial links between the ship's powerful Cummins engines and Hamilton Waterjets.

The first in a new class of FSV from SEACOR Marine—Express Plus—the 206' x 32' US-flagged Alya McCall will accommodate 16 crew, 100 passengers and 300 LT of deck cargo. The aluminum FiFi-I class vessel has dual FFS pumps and remote-controlled monitors. Her five Cummins QSK60 Tier 3 engines each deliver 2,680 bhp. Paired with Twin Disc transmissions and Hamilton HT-810 Waterjets, the combination achieves a top speed of 38 kts. She is currently in service in the Persian Gulf.

Provided by Twin Disc distributor Sewart Supply of Morgan City, Louisiana, the MGX-61500SC transmissions feature industry-leading QuickShift technology. They instantly deliver smooth, seamless torque to the waterjets, from neutral to full ahead. And while waterjets rely on deflectors for reverse thrust, the shaft rotation can be reversed to backflush an intake screen if debris blocks its flow.

• One Year after Receiving Nautical Institutes Class A Certification, GE’s Houston Training Center for Mariners Receives Accreditation for Sea Time Reduction (STR) Course

GE’s (NYSE: GE) continuous efforts to help increase marine industry safety standards for operators recently resulted in the endorsement of The Nautical Institute’s (NI) accreditation for GE to conduct a dynamic positioning (DP) sea time reduction (STR) course in its modern DP training center in Houston. With this accreditation, GE’s Marine Technical Training Center has joined an exclusive list of only 13 DP schools worldwide that are accredited to provide STR courses.

The accreditation allows trainee DP operators (DPOs) to receive credit of 30 days of DP sea time when they complete five days of intensive training in the DP simulator. Using GE’s advanced DP simulator, the company can provide the trainees with a selection of scenarios that help prepare the DPOs for a multitude of possible situations that they may encounter when engaged in DP operations.

GE’s Marine Solutions’ DP simulator received the NI’s Class A Certification in June 2015. Together with the DP training program, GE’s Marine Technical Training Center in Houston provides the operators with a suite of following training courses:

Nautical Institute-accredited courses for licensed deck officers:

1. DP Induction (basic).

2. DP Simulator (advanced).

3. DP Sea Time Reduction.

GE product courses for engineering officers, electronic technicians:

1. MV7000 & MV3000 (VFD).

2. DP Maintenance.

3. Automation Familiarization and Basic Maintenance.

4. Advanced Automation and Power Management Maintenance.

5. DP Software Familiarization (A-Series, C-Series, SeaStream*).

“Since the inauguration of the center in 2005, we have continually worked to deliver a high-standard training syllabus for mariners globally. Our continuous efforts have been paying off over time, and after receiving a Class A certification from The Nautical Institute, we’re proud to now receive the accreditation to provide STR Courses too. As the industry struggles to find competent manpower, GE is a leader when it comes to training the next generation of mariners,” said Tim Schweikert, president and CEO of GE’s Marine Solutions business.

GE’s Marine Solutions’ DP technology has gained wide acceptance in the marine industry. DP is a mariner-focused technology that helps mariners maintain their vessel in a predetermined heading and position.

GE’s Marine Solutions recently also provided the Class A DP simulator to the DP center at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMS) in Alexandria, Egypt, which has also received the STR accreditation.

GE is continuing to build upon its commitment of providing advanced maritime training that corresponds to customers’ needs in the real world.

SeaRobotics Corporation (SeaRobotics) has announced the delivery of 5 production TankBUG remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems to the Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group of Henderson, Kentucky. Pittsburg Tank & Tower Group (PT&T) is an industry leader in the field of tank fabrication, installation, cleaning and inspection, with service operations throughout North America and internationally. Applicable to steel, concrete or fiberglass, the TankBUG provides safe, cost-effective removal of sediments and debris from water storage facilities and reservoirs. The reliability and efficiency of the TankBUG allows maintenance inspection to occur on a predictable schedule.

Fabricated in SeaRobotics’ high-specification manufacturing facility, the TankBUG ROV system is built around a compact reliable vehicle base with a forward-mounted articulated suction and brushing assembly. The design has been optimized to handle the rigors of working on ground and elevated storage tanks. Regular cleaning and inspection of in-service tanks without the use of divers will reduce the cost of maintenance, improve tank life, and reduce the risk to human life. When equipped with plate thickness, coating thickness, and other sensors, the TankBUG inspection report will lead to proactive maintenance procedures.

“Use of TankBUG has allowed us to improve the efficiency of cleaning and inspection, improve the safety of operations, and reduce the disruption of our client’s processes,” stated Shawn Potoka, Manager of Field Operations of PT&T. “We have been pleased with the TankBUG’s performance after numerous cleanings, and it has been well received by our clients. Without TankBUG we were required to manually drain the tanks, then clean and inspect them. That could take up to 3 days. The equivalent process with a TankBUG can be done in one day,” stated Shawn.

“The acceptance of TankBUG in the marketplace is an example of the growing market for service robots. With TankBUG and our related HullBUG product line of ship hull grooming, cleaning and inspection vehicles, we look forward to servicing an expanding robotic vehicle market offering derivative products,” said Don Darling, President of SeaRobotics.

Intertek, has launched a new remotely operated vehicle (ROV) potable water tank inspection service that offers clients the option of using ROV’s to inspect their large-capacity water tanks. Potable water tank inspection must be carried out periodically to mitigate health risks to those working on offshore platforms or in other facilities that require their use. Vitally, inspections should detect any evidence of contamination, biofilm deposits, corrosion formation and the growth of Legionella.

Preparing ROV for water tank inspection. Photo credit: Intertek

Typically, potable water tanks are taken out of service to be emptied and inspected directly by personnel, a process which can be hazardous and time consuming, sometimes taking up to three days. Intertek’s new service allows clients to instead send in a mini ROV, which removes the need to drain and refill the tank, mitigates risks to personnel and can ensure that tanks are back in service after 12 hours. When evidence of corrosion or bacteria is detected, Intertek can make treatment recommendations, including operational advice, cleaning, patch recoating or complete tank refurbishment.

Julie Hart, Water Hygiene Technical Manager for Intertek Production and Integrity Assurance, said: “Regular water tank hygiene inspection is extremely important as the tanks can become a breeding ground for Legionella and other bacteria which cause water quality degradation. Our ROV’s deliver close visual inspection which allows for fast, accurate pricing of remedial work. This new equipment and methodology, along with our decades of experience in microbiology, really allows us to provide forerunning services to clients who take these procedures very seriously and prioritize the health and wellbeing of their personnel.

As well as tank inspection and potable water management services, Intertek Production and Integrity Assurance provides clients with a range of related solutions, including legionella management, water system disinfection, microbiological surveys, molecular analysis, media test kits and oilfield microbiology training.

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin has cemented its place at the vanguard of the market, with the news that it has now sold over 400 of its environmentally friendly UV-based systems. The landmark has been surpassed on the back of a succession of major contracts, fuelled by the firm’s unique retrofit experience, proven technology and upcoming USCG certification.

2016 has been a boom year for a company that installed the first ever commercial BWT system back in 2000. Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) orders have been confirmed with Atlantis Tankers (10 units) and Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group (nine), while the firm also made its first foray into fishing, with a contract for the Fisherman’s Finest vessel America’s Finest. The latest win, with Carisbrooke from the UK, was the largest - a fleet agreement with the potential to encompass retrofits on 46 bulk and multipurpose vessels.

“We’ve been working with BWT technology since our formation in 1994,” comments Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen, “so we feel this surge in business reflects an appreciation of our established expertise, technology, and ability to satisfy all individual customer, and vessel, requirements.

“Now that the ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management convention is finally imminent, we’re seeing more and more shipowners engaging us for fleet wide retrofit assignments. This is because they know they can trust us, our market proven system, and unparalleled retrofit experience.”

Together with its global engineering partners, Goltens and Zeppelin, Optimarin has now fitted over 70 units on existing vessels, alongside over 200 on newbuilds. Its flexible, modular system is perfect for making the most of limited vessel space, while its totally compliant technology ensures peace of mind.

This latter point has proven to be another of Optimarin’s strengths. The firm has invested millions of dollars in testing and certification, with certificates from DNV GL, Lloyd’s, Bureau Veritas, MLIT Japan, and American Bureau of Shipping, alongside full IMO approval. However, it’s the latest testing with USCG that appears to be elevating the business to a new commercial plane.

“USCG has the most stringent approval demands, thanks to its FDA/CMFDA test, which judges the life forms transported in ballast water as either living or dead,” Andersen explains. “The power of the 35kw UV lamps in the OBS ensures it has the power to instantly kill invasive organisms and that’s exactly what USCG wants to see.

“The system has now satisfied all marine water tests and is in its final testing stage, with full USCG approval expected later this year. For shipowners with large global fleets this gives them the flexibility to sail in and out of US waters, discharging ballast, as desired. For those with fleets based exclusively in North America this is a ticket to trade, full stop.

“USCG approval is becoming a benchmark standard for forward-thinking customers planning for guaranteed future regulatory compliance. This is proving to be a key business driver for Optimarin.”

Optimarin’s customers include names of the order of Saga Shipholding, MOL, Grieg Shipping Group, Gulf Offshore, Farstad Shipping, NYK, Nor Line, and Evergreen Marine Corp, amongst others. Its OBS system is easy to install, simple to maintain – with no moving parts – and does not use, or discharge, any chemicals.

“We believe we have an industry leading proposition,” Andersen concludes, “and it’s hugely satisfying to see the market respond to that at this key time for the BWT sector.”

The Damen Field Service crew has just returned from commissioning the Barracuda cutter suction dredger in Algeria. The customized Damen Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 500 has been delivered with a complete dredging package including a booster station and dredge piping enabling immediate start up. The CSD500 will perform maintenance dredging in a reservoir.

As reservoir dredging can be quite a challenge, the standard dismountable CSD500 has been customised. Its job is to clear a water reservoir in an inland location in Algeria. As it is relatively deep, the CSD500 has been fitted out with a longer cutter ladder for the important dredging depth of -18m working at 45°. Moreover the spuds – normally a distinct feature of any CSD– have been replaced by an X-mas tree. The X-mas tree is a multiple wire-based mooring system independent of the deep waters in which the dredger operates.

The cutter suction dredger is also fitted out with a number of standard options such as an accommodation unit, navigation lights, a deck crane and dredging instrumentation. Moreover, it is accompanied by all components for a turn-key dredging project. These components include a remote controlled booster station, type BS500, plus some 4 km of floating and land discharge piping – in total over 30 containers full of steel and flexible piping and floats.

The Algerian customer Hydrodragage has two other Damen dredgers performing similar tasks at other reservoirs. Damen is proud to have delivered it’s third dredger to Hydrodragage, which started its dredging job without delay upon arrival.