Coupling Systems News

The U.S. towing and tug business is 5,500 boats, more than 31,000 barges with an estimated total impact on U.S. GDP of $33.8 billion.“At a macro level, the bigger ships are causing downward pressure on the ship assist business because there are fewer ship calls given the increased capacity of these vessels. However, certain ports have seen tremendous growth, based on strategic location and infrastructure investments that have attracted these larger ships and been a net plus for these areas.”Kate Fuhrman…

Specialty lubricants manufacturer Klϋber Lubrication recently introduced a new environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL) grease for articulated tug and barge (ATB) couplings, Klüberbio AM 12-501.Klüberbio AM 12-501 is an adhesive EAL grease designed specifically for the large plain bearings, rams and connectors used in ATB coupling systems. It is based on fully synthetic ester oils for high performance and biodegradability, aluminum complex thickener for adhesion and resistance to water and select additives to reduce wear.Klüberbio AM 12-501 meets ATB coupling system OEM specifications for pumpability, resistance to water washout and spray off, corrosion protection and load carrying capabilities.

Victaulic’s forward-thinking vertical integration remains, at the same time, solidly connected to a rich and varied past. It is still common to hear waterfront stakeholders refer to alternative pipe connection systems as temporary or simply as ‘a new development.’ While none of that could be further from the truth, the education of the marine community as to the merits of these products as an alternative to traditional flanges continues. These products – like Victaulic’s market offerings – are indeed mainstream parts of the marine sector, their use limited only by the imagination of designers, builders and operators who constantly find new applications to improve their bottom line. Since the 1920s, Victaulic couplings have demonstrated their value in countless maritime applications.

In 2009, Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri S.p.A, purchased the assets of the Manitowoc Marine Group; which included Bay Shipbuilding Company. Located in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Bay Shipbuilding was the “feather in the cap” with their long history in U.S. commercial shipbuilding and repair. Can you share with us your background and area of responsibility? I’ve been the Vice President and General Manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding since assuming the role in August of 2012.

Klüber Lubrication is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty lubricants, offering high-end tribological solutions to virtually all industries and markets worldwide. Most products are developed and made to specific customer requirements. During its more than 80 years of existence, Klüber Lubrication has provided high-quality lubricants, thorough consultation and extensive services, which has earned it an excellent reputation in the market. The company holds all common industrial certifications and operates a test bay hardly rivaled in the lubricants industry.

Beacon Finland, a maritime-related firm engaged in naval architecture, marine engineering and equipment, has appointed Rio Marine to service its JAK-ATB coupling systems in the U.S.   Tuija Horkko, Beacon Finland’s Chairman, said Rio Marine will become the exclusive company to provide 24/7/365 service for its JAK coupling systems for the tug/barge industry. Rio Marine will maintain an extensive inventory of JAK spare parts and will provide service which will include electrical, electronics, hydraulic and mechanical systems. Rio Marine’s President Ronald Dansby also reported that the company will open a new service center in Staten Island, N.Y. to support tugs and barges, as well as JAK systems along the U.S. East Coast.

As a result of the need for innovation in the dredging market, Niron Staal and VOSTA LMG Cutting and Coupling Systems have entered into a long term agreement for manufacturing and delivery of advanced cutting systems. Both companies have a rich history of cooperation which goes many years back. The need for more advanced cutting systems and the necessary investments calls for an even closer and more strategic cooperation. VOSTA LMG is a well experienced technical provider in the dredging industry and with excellent technical know-how. Niron Staal, part of SHIPDOCK HOLDING, has a wide-range experience in manufacturing, steel construction, machining and servicing of dredger- and offshore components and is a renowned contractor for these industries.

ACOMARIN Engineering, Ltd. has entered into an agreement with HERMASA Navegacao da Amazonia S.A. of Brazil to supply them with three new Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB) Coupling Systems plus two additional socket plates for barges only. for retrofitting the tug “Aquarius” and the barge “Mir” designed after S.S.P.A. towing tank test. The other two sets plus the barge socket plates are for new construction. Tug Hull No. 1613 and 1614 and Barge Hull No. 1610, 1611, 1612, and 1615 will be built by ERIN Shipyards (ERIN- Estaleiros Rio Negro, Ltda.) in Manaus, Brazil. INTEROCEAN Engineering and Ship Management Ltda. of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil designed these new tugs and barges with ABS class certification. ERIN Shipyard will also do the installation of the ATB Coupling System.

Vancouver Shipyards together with their parent corporation Washington Marine Group has signed a contract with Acomarin Engineering to purchase their JAK-400 Pushpin® ATB coupling system. Much research went into the decision as to which ATB coupling system would best fit their needs. Acomarin’s JAK-400 Pushpin® coupling system is one of the lightest ATB coupling systems on the market making it an easy retro fit to any tugboat and barge. Acomarin was also able to offer the fastest delivery time by supplying the complete system in less than 8 weeks. Both of these reasons were important factors in the decision for Washington Marine Group and Vancouver Shipyards.

The SMM exhibition in Hamburg has once again proven that it is the cradle of marine technology and the grand-daddy of all marine exhibitions. On display in 12 separate halls were more than 1,300 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, launching new products and discussing business with an estimated 37,000 visitors. More telling that sheer numbers, in this case, is the feeling of the exhibition and the ubiquitous marine technology theme. The quality of attendee and exhibitor is always high, but this edition of the bi-annual exhibition seemed especially charged due to the many positives currently running throughout the full spectrum of the maritime market.

Late last year was a high water mark of sorts in the Articulated Tug-Barge (ATB) business. In December, Crowley Maritime of Seattle, Wash. took delivery of their fourth ATB, featuring a 9,280 HP tug and a 155,000 barrel barge. Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. built the barge. and the tug by sister company Marinette Marine, Manitowoc, Mich. At about the same time on the east coast K-Sea Transportation was taking delivery of their fourth ATB unit from Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La. All four of these new units featured new 80,000-100,000 barrel barges and existing tugs fitted with the JAK coupler system. In 2004, ATB construction has slowed a bit, but several companies continue contracting for retrofitted and new ATB units.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has delivered DBL101, the first of four Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA’90) double hull, ocean service, oil tank barges to K-Sea Transportation Corp. While the DBL 101 was in the final stages of construction, Bollinger also retrofitted the K-Sea tug TASMAN SEA with a JAK coupler system, creating an ATB unit. Bollinger and K-Sea announced a newbuilding contract in March 2001, for the series of 4 barges with capacities of 80,000 to 100,000 barrels (BBL). Bollinger Marine Fabricators (BMF), Amelia, La., fabricated modules for the new 400-ft. by 74-ft. by 25-ft., 100,000 BBL barge and shipped them to Bollinger Gretna (Harvey, La.) for final assembly and installation of piping and other systems.

All of the growth markets in the commercial marine marketplace have something to do with petroleum. Supply and crew/supply boats directly support drilling activity and Articulated Tug Barges (ATB) distributes crude, refined or an oil byproduct to refiners or distributors. The ATB represents a big advance in transporting these oil products over a pushboat pushing a tow of petroleum barges. Typically an ATB is one large barge with capacity from 80,000 to 160,000 barrels being pushed by a tug that fits into a notch in the barge. An advanced coupling system permits easy coupling and uncoupling of the two units. With typical barge and pushboat units, the coupling system uses winches and wire ropes to lash the barges together and also secure the barge tow to the pushboat.