Europort 2011

The Netherlands is known the world over for its maritime knowledge, top quality technology and innovative shipyards. Hence the reason Europort has a reputation for being an important place where advanced technology comes together. Extensive attention will be given to these new developments, both on the exhibition floor and during the complementary workshops and seminar programme.

In succession to the successful introduction in 2009, Europort 2011 again presents the Advanced Technology Conferences, in association with Holland Marine Equipment (HME). Leading market players from each sector will present the newest technological developments in short, dynamic workshops. In this way, national and international visitors can share their knowledge and experience. The CEDA Dredging Days with their theme ‘Dredging and Beyond’ are also zooming in on advanced technology. The Green Route leads visitors to exhibitors with the latest sustainable products from the maritime industry.

Following the launch of the central theme, the floor plan of Europort 2011 is published on www.europort.nl. Europort will take place from 8 until 11 November 2011 in Ahoy Rotterdam. Europort is one of the largest maritime exhibitions in the world and offers a platform for advanced technology. The exhibition brings together all sectors of the maritime industry. Europort organises satellite exhibitions in Romania and Turkey.

 The conduit sleeves are available in three types that can be welded (new installations), bolted or screwed (existing installations) to the partition or wall. A retainer flange at the back of the conduit sleeves functions as a hold for the Dynatite sealing plug to allow compression of the plug inside the conduit sleeve. The higher the pressure load, the more compression with an increasing tightness. The ‘Dynatite’ plugs can easily withstand shock pressure loads of more than 210 psi (15 bar) and will return to their original shape after shock pressure. The dynamic compression of the plug is based on the high-tech rubber grade and the engineered profiling.

 The new conduit sleeves are made of stainless steel 1.4571, milled to exact internal dimensions and CDW seam welded to the retainer flange. To optimize corrosion resistance, the conduit sleeves are surface treated on the basis of a unique passivation process, that prevents corrosion for a service life up to 15 years. The inner surface of the conduit sleeve is also treated thus avoiding corrosion on the inside as well and guaranteeing optimum gliding properties of the rubber during service life.

 The inner surface of the conduit sleeves for welding are treated with a silicon dioxide ceramic coating that is fire resistant and heat resistant up to 500° C. Combined with flange thickness of 8 mm, the ceramic coating will not be affected by the heat when the conduit sleeve is welded into the partition.

This was not an easy task and all along the process there were heavy demands on both Vripack and the builder but in the end all parties can be extremely proud due to their patience, self-confidence and the spectacular final result.

The SC Puma is a heavy duty pilot/service boat, designed for multiple purposes such as towing, transporting crew and supplies to and from ships in anchor zones or offshore wind farms. Besides that this multipurpose vessel can also be used as a pilot-boat, police- and survey vessel or salvage and rescue vessel. The SC Puma is provided with a Lloyd’s Register classified workboat construction with professional systems which make this ship suitable for tough circumstances. Furthermore, this bruiser is extremely comfortable sea going, as a result of which she can still function when many other ships have to pull out. This is proven during her recent trip back from Southampton to Rotterdam in heavy following seas. The superstructure has a widened hip that gives her muscle and a sturdy and aggressive appearance. She is fitted for the job and with such a practical size and economical layout, she can be considered a newborn vintage tender that has been designed like a smooth custom made gentleman’s suit, but with integrated gadgets.

The SC Puma has been designed by Vripack, built by Sima Charters and is already scheduled to work on a dredging project in Germany. Sima Charters is building sister ships that will be finished in 2010. These boats can be for sale or charter and of course new boats can also be built to customer specification.

Friendship-Framework is a CAE software system for the simulation-driven design of optimal functional surfaces like ship hulls, rudders,
propellers and other maritime systems exposed to a flow regime. The
development of optimally task-suitable, energy efficient, high
performing designs is achieved in a streamlined design process which is built around integrated simulation. Parametric modelling, variant
generation and assessment, as well as hydrodynamic optimization are key design steps which are fed by the simulation results and lead to an optimal design. Friendship systems has released the latest upgrade of the simulation-driven design software Friendship-Framework, version 2.1, in late 2009. A new release with further enhanced functionality and user-friendliness is planned for autumn 2010.

New Times Shipbuilding (NTS) is part of New Century Shipbuilding
Corporation (NCSC) and based at DanHua Port in Jingjiang City, Jiangsu
Province. Next to extensive shipbuilding facilities, which include dry
docks for 150,000 dwt and 300,000 dwt vessels, the company operates a
marine design and research institute and a technology center. Since
1996, the shipyard has delivered about 100 vessels of all types, mainly
bulk carriers, oil tankers and container ships. According to the
company, a present 114 vessels are in the order book amounting to a
total of 13,800,000 dwts. The shipyard designs and delivers vessels,
which are classified also by GL, for an international clientele.

While Reflex Marine’s range of crew transfer capsules are an accepted and established method of crew transfer in the oil and gas industry, safe access to offshore wind turbines is still a key concern for operators. Significant numbers of personnel must access offshore wind structures for year-round maintenance or unplanned interventions.

Reflex Marine has reviewed a variety of concepts and believes that a vertically winched capsule, such as the TORO, could provide an excellent access solution to the turbines themselves.  The main advantages being improved safety through reduced reliance on human responses, a much-improved operating envelope, a means of emergency evacuation and the ability to extract injured and stretchered personnel and one system for moving people and equipment.

The TORO, which was launched in February 2009, can carry up to four passengers, protecting them from side impact and heavy landings and is buoyant and self-righting. The protected body position and seat design allow it to be used without seatbelts (subject to company policy and local legislative requirements) and facilitates fast loading and unloading of personnel.  Certified with CE marking and ABS Type Approval, the TORO fits into a standard shipping container, providing significant logistical benefits.

David Brittan, Reflex Marine’s business development director said: “We are very happy to hit this landmark sale, especially as the technology was launched at a time of economic downturn. The TORO was developed in direct response to industry demand for a low cost transfer device which still maintained high levels of passenger protection and operational performance. With operators scrutinising their budgets, we feel the TORO can offer a cost-effective and truly safe alternative to more established forms of traditional transfer baskets.

 ”We are particularly pleased with the initial uptake from the wind energy sector. For some time now, we have been discussing the offshore access challenge for turbines and we are now seeing companies look into how this will be resolved. It is great to see the licensing round three being so successful but if people don’t start thinking about the operation and maintenance challenges, we could fall behind our European counterparts.”

The new 71,300-gt ship belonging to the AIDAblu class is 252 m long and 32.20 m wide. 2,192 passengers can be accommodated on board, who will be taken care of by a crew of 661.

“I am very happy that we can continue our successful and innovative partnership with Carnival, Costa and AIDA”, said Bernard Meyer, managing partner of MEYER WERFT. “When two highly innovative partners work together, this is for the most part bound to be successful. The AIDA ships are very well received by the German passengers and guarantee a sustainable growth”, he added. AIDA Cruises is the leader in the German cruise market. At MEYER WERFT another two ships are currently still under construction. They will join the fleet in 2011 and 2012

Wuts continues: “As a result of the limited capacity of the industry to anodise lengths over 8m, Alucol is able to respond to a growing demand. We have been visited by various organisations that are active in markets that were previously unknown to us. The possibility to anodise longer lengths directly leads to innovative product ideas among our customers.” Alucol, which was established in 1971, produces anodised and coloured aluminium products. The new factory has an annual capacity of 2,000,000 m² (6,000 t), and the company’s total annual capacity amounts to 4,000,000 m² (12,000 t). The new production facility will be opened in November 2010.