Composite Technology News

The SpaceTech4Sea project sees ABS, OceanFinance and Cimarron Composites joining forces to adapt composite technologies developed for the space industry to shipping. The first target: LNG tank technologyA project to adapt technology developed for use in space to maritime LNG fuel tanks received design approval from ABS.The SpaceTech4Sea project, supported by $1.2m funding from the European Union, explores whether composite technology, which is lighter and potentially more cost-effective…

The Realization and Demonstration of Advanced Material Solutions for Sustainable and Efficient Ships (RAMSSES) project recently reached a key milestone. On July 18, at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding’s (DSNS) location in Vlissingen-East, the Netherlands, the project’s partners unveiled the recently assembled full scale composite ship’s hull section they have been developing these past three years. This, entitled Custom Made Hull for Offshore Vessel, represents one of 13 demonstrators that make up the RAMSSES project.

ABS has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to a conceptual design for carbon fibre LNG fuel tanks, in what it describes as a ‘milestone’ for a project to adapt space industry technology to small-scale LNG fueling.SpaceTech4Sea project sees ABS, OceanFinance and Cimarron Composites joining forces to adapt composite technologies developed for the space industry to LNG shipping.Backed by EUR1m funding from the European Union, the project explores whether composite technology, which is lighter and more cost-effective, offers a competitive alternative in LNG as marine fuel designs, principally for short sea shipping.“The potential of this technology to reduce barriers to the utilization of LNG as fuel for short sea shipping is significant.

While orders for new vessels have continued to decline worldwide in 2017, the situation in the German and European shipbuilding market is different, with an increase of incoming orders. As shipping experts state: “…this is not a trend but a snapshot, but it indicates a high competitiveness of the German shipbuilding industry, particularly on technologically advanced projects.”The global mood barometer of the maritime industry had reached its lowest point in 2016. From the abyss confidence and order have carefully increased…

CTruk Boats formally handed over the first new craft built at its River Colne production facility in Colchester when the latest MPC22 offshore wind farm service vessel (WFSV) was officially named by owner CWind at the Seawork show in Southampton. Utilizing the CTruk flexible pod system that allows the vessel’s payload to be reconfigured in a matter of hours, the MPC22 is based on a proven workboat design. CWind Artimus, named by Jemma Eaton, Commercial Director of CWind, is the first of the two latest boats being built by CTruk for CWind…

FUSION®, the worldwide leader in marine entertainment, announced today the expansion of its award-winning line of marine audio entertainment systems with the release of the new FUSION Signature Series speakers. Created by the finest design and engineering minds in the industry with an unwavering vision of producing exceptional audio systems for those seeking a superior listening experience, the Signature Series offers unparalleled performance even when exposed to the harshest marine conditions. Designed to offer functional acoustic elegance, the Signature Series comes in multiple sizes, grille and LED lighting configurations, allowing it to be tailored to the discerning boat owner’s specifications.

Essex-based shipbuilder CTruk received a £1 million ($1.5 million) grant for the construction of an Advanced Composite Technology Centre from the UK Government's Regional Growth Fund, the office of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced today. The funding from the successful Round 6 bid will catalyze £7.3 million ($11.2 million) in private investment for the facility, which will allow the company to build workboats for offshore wind farm operations, CTruk announced in a press release.

CTruk held an informal launch event at its new Colne Estuary site on The Hythe, East Colchester yesterday, sharing its plans for expansion to guests and staff. The company will use the old Fieldgates site on Haven Road to build the larger vessels required for offshore wind farm projects further out to sea and will move some production activity over in January 2015. CTruk’s current facility in Brightlingsea lacks the space and waterside access needed to build and launch larger craft.

CTruk signed the lease on a 6,400m² site on the Colne Estuary, a few miles upriver from its current Brightlingsea base. The company plans to use the Fieldgates site in Haven Road, The Hythe, East Colchester to build the larger vessels required for offshore wind farm projects further out to sea. CTruk is pressing on with refurbishment of the existing building on Fieldgates to move some production activity over early next year. However, the company has further plans to build a new production facility, offices and training center on the currently derelict site.

Xantrex Technology has become a sponsoring partner of the IYRS, a marine trade and technology school offering full-time accredited programs in boat building and restoration, marine systems and composite technology. With campus locations in Newport and Bristol, R.I., IYRS students training for a marine-industry career will now enjoy a hands-on opportunity to work with the latest onboard AC power technology, thanks to the new Xantrex partnership and donations including two complete Freedom SW inverter/charger systems. Clark Poston, IYRS Vice President of Industry Development, said, “Our IYRS programs are experiential learning based and delivered in state-of-the-art labs with the latest equipment and technology.

Roger Williams University & IYRS partner on program to offer IYRS graduates credits toward degree programs. As part of a strategy to offer students a direct pathway from experiential training programs focused on craftsmanship and technical skills to a comprehensive college education that results in an associate or bachelor’s degree, Roger Williams University and marine trades and technology school IYRS have joined forces on a partnership that will allow IYRS graduates to apply elective credits toward degree programs offered at the University’s School of Continuing Studies.

Berthing a fast attack or fleet ballistic missile (Trident) submarine requires skilled vessel handling, knowledge and practice. The larger Trident subs are 560 ft. long with a beam of 42 ft. and displace almost 17,000 tons. When maneuvering them into port a deep draft camel is a crucial aide to optimizing berthing and mooring procedures. The camel creates and maintains separation between a sub and a waterfront facility. Deflecting or compressing with vessel movement, the camel prevents damage to the hull…

IYRS, a trade school based in Rhode Island, showcases its educational programs at the largest in-water boat shows in America. The school trains students in highly technical and craft-oriented wood and composites construction, as well as in the installation and maintenance of modern systems used on boats. In an era when many college students are graduating with high debt and slim job prospects, IYRS is experiencing record popularity. The school accepted its largest incoming class this fall, and some 30% of the students are military veterans and recent High School grads who are choosing IYRS as their route to sustainable careers. The school is at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, from October 4-8 and at the U.S. Powerboat Show from October 11-14.

US-based PaR Systems Inc. acquires UK company Marine Systems Technology Ltd. PaR Systems, Inc. announces the purchase of Marine Systems Technology Ltd., a leading expert in lightweight composites, fire protection and composite engineering, and affiliated company MST Engineering Ltd., designers and manufacturers of marine doors, panels, hatches, scuttles, and other products. Both companies are located in Winsford, United Kingdom. Marine Systems Technology (MST) invented the patented composite technology COMFIRE®, which provides a major advance in passive fire protection at the highest level on military and commercial ships. MST was recently the first company ever to qualify a door to exacting US Navy fire boundary specifications.

Composite Technology Corporation (CTC) (OTCBB: CPTC) announced that it has reached agreement to sell substantially all of the operating assets and operating liabilities of DeWind Inc., including its subsidiaries and certain assets of DeWind Ltd. to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME) of Korea. Under the terms of the asset purchase agreements, the sale price is approximately $46,500,000 for substantially all of the operating assets and operating liabilities of DeWind Inc., and approximately $3,000,000 for certain assets of DeWind Ltd., subject to certain possible post-closing adjustments. The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and are expected to close within the next 30 days.

All American Marine, Inc. and Teknicraft Design, Ltd. have successfully made a proposal to Kitsap Transit to bring a new passenger ferry to Rich Passage. On Tuesday, April 21st, the commissioners of Kitsap Transit unanimously approved $5.3m for the purchase of a 77 ft ultra-low wake Teknicraft catamaran and on May 18th, All American Marine received the signed notice-to-proceed. The high speed passenger catamaran will carry 118 passengers and operate between Bremerton and Seattle, Washington at speeds of 29 to 38 knots.

An artist's rendition of the Deepwater Program's Fast Response Cutter (FRC) design concept. technologies. demonstrator of the Deepwater program's fast response cutter (FRC). service's aging fleet of Island-class boats. ships and/or derivative technology to the U.S. program. and the U.S. corvette-sized monohull ships. U.S. Coast Guard's FRC Program," said Dr. Philip A. Systems sector. the leading U.S. U.S. CEO Martin Hagbyhn. export markets that our U.S. decided to invest in composites and stealth technology.

There's been a lot of disposable income produced in the country during the past few years. This is one of the reasons the boatbuilding industry is enjoying a strong market. A majority of the industry is utilizing composite technology to construct high-quality boats. This has caused a real labor shortage of quality hires. Quality products require quality employees. The days of hiring off the corner are long gone, so how can an employer insure a good hire? Nothing's perfect, but there is a way to increase the chances of a good hire - certification. The Composites Fabricators Association (CFA) provides a national certification called Certified Composites Technician or CCT.

VT Halmatic said that Professor Bob Cripps, currently Engineering Manager at the RNLI, will be joining VT Halmatic as Technical Director as of May 9, 2005. Professor Cripps worked at Lloyds before moving to the RNLI and has extensive technical knowledge and experience of small craft and composite technology. The continuing challenge for technical excellence is essential to the VT Halmatic business plan. Professor Bob Cripps will lead the technical team supported by Dr Andrew Humphries, Marine Design Manager and Dr Robin Mableson, who heads up the Composite Technology Centre. The VT Composite Technology Centre (CTC) was formed in 2001 by the amalgamation of composite expertise from various divisions within the VT Group.

New world speed records were set earlier this month in both men’s and women’s divisions of the International Submarine Races, an engineering design competition that challenges the creativity of underwater inventers and entrepreneurs. One and two-person teams from the U.S., Canada and the Netherlands battled it out against the clock in the week-long biennial event held at one of the world’s largest indoor tanks -- the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Carderock Division David Taylor Model Basin in Bethesda, Maryland. Omer 5, a sleek two-person submersible from the University of Quebec’s Ecole de Technologie Superieure (ETS) in Montreal, Canada, set a new two-person speed record of 7.061 knots. The Canadians’ women’s team also set a new record of 5.885 knots.

Northrop Grumman Corporation's Ship Systems sector announced today that retired Rear Adm. John B. "Jay" Foley III, USN, one of the U.S. Navy's outstanding leaders during a 33-year career, has been named vice president of the company's shipbuilding operations in Gulfport, Miss. The company said that Foley, who recently retired from the Navy as commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, will bring his leadership and naval expertise to the Gulfport facility beginning Sept. 16, 2002. "We are delighted to have Jay Foley joining our team," said Dr. Philip A. Dur, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president and president of the company's Ship Systems sector.

at its Ship Systems sector's Gulfport Operations in Gulfport, Miss. The modernization project is expected to create the first large-scale advanced composite manufacturing facility to produce U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships. The modernization will dedicate $30 million to increasing capacity for composite construction, $19 million for ship construction and outfitting improvements, $8 million for additional support facilities, and $7 million to upgrade distributive systems. Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, principal speaker at the ceremony, told more than 200 guests and shipbuilders in attendance about the partnership between Northrop Grumman and the state and how this expansion project will economically benefit all parties involved.

Northrop Grumman Corporation has signed a cooperative agreement with Kockums AB and its parent company, Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG (HDW), under which Kockums will join a team assembled by Northrop Grumman's Ship Systems sector to compete for the U.S. Navy's Focused Mission Vessel Study. This study is expected to result in the development and construction of a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), one element of the DD(X) family of surface combatants planned for construction by the Navy during the next quarter century. HDW covers business opportunities for the design, development, construction and sale of Visby-class ships and/or derivative technology to the U.S. government for the LCS and other U.S.