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Thick Steel News

15 Jan 2024

Exploring 'Future Fuels' - Methanol’s Superstorage Solution

Image courtesy SRC

Technical inquiries to SRC Group ramped up after it received Approval in Principle (AIP) for a concept which ‘reinvented methanol fuel storage’ on board ships. Delivering the answers has seen technical talk converting into project discussions        ‘Green’ methanol has the ability to one day run vessels almost emission-free, and commercial shipping increasingly investigates. Derived today principally from natural gas, methanol is nonetheless available, relatively easy to handle and predictable.

27 Jan 2021

Op/Ed: SS United States, the Maritime Thoroughbred

(Photo courtesy SS United States Conservancy)

There are many hallmarks of great civilizations, but perhaps none so universal as their desire to push the boundaries of human achievement through innovation. A key source of American pride has always been our ability to dream big. When it comes to ships, there is no more powerful example of this than the SS United States.“America’s Flagship” was more than a symbol of our nation’s post-war strength and global reach. She remains a singular and unrivaled marine engineering and design achievement.Curiously…

28 Aug 2019

NOFIRNO Gasket Withstand Heavy-duty Fire Test

Photo: Beele Engineering

Manholes onboard ships or in industrial or offshore plants are generally only used from time to time. The manholes are closed most of the time and are only opened when there is a need for maintenance or other activities to be performed on the installation. Gaskets are used to ensure the steel sealing plates reliably seal off the manhole. The NOFIRNO gaskets supplied by Beele Engineering for these types of systems were recently subjected to one of the most severe fire tests possible.The…

07 Sep 2017

How Do Ships Avoid Hurricanes?

Dozens of ships in the Caribbean have already been diverted to avoid Hurricane Irma, but how exactly does shipping cope with extreme weather - a post by UK Chamber of Shipping. Hurricane Irma, much like its predecessor Hurricane Harvey, has sent shipping into disarray, particularly for cruise passengers. Around 40,000 holidaymakers are estimated to have been affected by disruption to scheduled cruises this week and this figure could rise further as Irma speeds through the Caribbean towards southern Florida. The hurricane has already devastated areas of the British Virgin Islands, St Martin, Barbuda, St Barthelemy and Anguilla. AIS data shows 12 cruise ships are currently still in Irma’s path, but the good news is that the passengers onboard have a good chance of remaining safe.

17 May 2017

Harvey Gulf Grows Fleet, Inks Long-term Contracts

Image: Harvey Gulf

As vessel many vessel operators are stacking vessels and reducing fleet size, Harvey Gulf International Marine said it has signed four non-cancelable, long-term contracts for stacked vessels and has taken delivery of two new vessels, as well as redelivery of a vessel reconfigured for subsea services. Harvey Gulf announced the signing of long term contracts for the MPSV Harvey Intervention, 175' FSV Harvey Hustler, 180' FSV Harvey Runner and 220' FSV Harvey Express. These charters…

17 Jul 2015

Salvors Remove Debris Left by Environmental Protesters

Photo: GUE Seattle

Dive and salvage teams worked to remove debris used as anchor blocks by environmental activists protesting Shell’s Arctic drilling aboard a barge in Seattle’s Alki Seacrest Park on May 19. A dive team from Global Diving & Salvage, Inc., along with divers from Global Underwater Explorers (GUE) Seattle, collaborated to remove several concrete blocks and thick steel mooring cables that held barge Solar Pioneer in place as the activists protested Shell’s Polar Pioneer arctic drilling rig then housed at Seattle’s Harbor Island Terminal 5.

19 Feb 2015

ClassNK to Research on Brittle Crack Arrest Design

ClassNK announced that it will carry out a joint research project aimed at improving safety standards for ultra-large container ships. As container ships increase in size, so too does the thickness of the steel that is used. The preventative measures for brittle fracture become even more important with thicker steel especially in areas where higher stress occurs such as the upper deck and hatch side coaming of the cargo holds. In light of this and to improve the safety standards of large container vessels, IACS released its Unified Requirements for Use of Extremely Thick Steel Plates in January 2013. The requirements outline the necessary…

29 Oct 2014

Minimize the Risks, Think Cold Bonding

Plate bonding repair on equipment

Hot work required for welding, grinding and cutting operations presents certain potential hazards when conducted in potentially explosive and flammable environments. According to the Health and Safety Executive guidance 2013, “flammable liquids and vapors such as petrol, diesel, fuel oil, paints, solvents, glue, lacquer and cleaning agents are found in many places of work. In order to minimize the risk, cold bonding solutions involving materials that are applied and cured at ambient temperatures can offer an alternative solution for repair and newbuild applications on metallic surfaces.

07 Mar 2013

GL Container Ship Forum

Dr. Olaf Doerk, from GL's consulting subsidiary FutureShip, presents the results from two joint development projects looking at HT47 welded joints. Photo: GL

The Forum looked at a broad spectrum of topics concerning container shipping including: stowage and lashing, the potential for LNG vessels and bunkering, trends in the liner markets, high tensile steel and thick materials for ship building, pilotage and maneuvering XXL container ships in the Hamburg harbor and the advantages of having an Emergency Response Service. Some 50 representatives from the container industry met with GL experts at the Container Ship Forum, to hear the presentations and participate in informal discussions.

04 Dec 2012

Silence on the Ship

Hatz SilentPACK is a quiet engine. Sound is reduced by up to 90 percent

A double-hulled tanker called Bernhard Dettmer refuels ships in Hamburg Harbor – power supply on board is provided by a Hatz SilentPACK diesel engine. It is end of the working day. Calm returns on board the Bernhard Dettmer, although the diesel engine is running, supplying the ship with power. There is no noise, however, because the engine is running very quietly. This is one of the outstanding features of the Hatz 4L41C SilentPACK engine. The Bernhard Dettmer is a double-hulled tanker, which is used as a bunkering vessel in Hamburg Harbor. Built in 2008, it is 100 m long and 9.50 m wide.

17 Feb 2012

Indonesia Fertilizer Producer Orders Siwertell Unloader

Cargotec's 300th Siwertell unloader contract will see the company deliver its safe, efficient and environmentally-friendly Siwertell system to the Indonesian fertiliser producer, PT Petrokimia Gresik. In January this year, Cargotec secured a second contract for a Siwertell ship unloader with the Indonesian fertiliser producer, PT Petrokimia Gresik. "The customer chose our Siwertell technology again, because they wanted a highly efficient continuous screw-type unloader, which was also capable of safely handling potentially explosive materials…

03 Nov 2011

Indian order for Enclosed Ship Unloader

Cargotec has received an order for a Siwertell ship unloader type ST790-D from the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Paradeep Unit. The enclosed screw-type unloader will be used to discharge rock phosphate and sulfur at a rated capacity of 1,800 t/h. "IFFCO wanted a totally enclosed system for both environmental and safety reasons," said Anders Paulsson, Sales manager, Bulk handling. "The company specified a screw-type unloader for high efficiency and chose a Siwertell system from Cargotec because we have by far the most knowledge and experience of this technology - the first Siwertell system designated for sulphur was delivered in 1980. Cargotec's Siwertell Sulphur Safety System (4S) was developed to minimise the risk of explosions and detect fires.

31 Oct 2008

Guidelines - YP47 Steel for Hull Structures

The first large sized container carrier in the world to use a new grade of higher tensile steel in its hull structure with a specified yield point of 47 kgf/mm (460N/mm) was built to NK class and delivered in June 2007. Known as YP47 steel, this comparatively strong and tough material is currently attracting much attention as an effective solution to the challenges presented by the use of extremely thick steel plates in the construction of the hull structures of container carriers that have been growing ever larger in size in recent years. ClassNK prepared these guidelines drawing upon the results of many years of research conducted into the practical application of YP47 steel and the experience gained from actual use of the material in the construction of large size container carriers.

22 Sep 2003

Offshore-Inland Completes Hull Restoration on USS Alabama

Mobile-Alabama based Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services has completed hull repairs on the battleship USS Alabama, the state of Alabama's most popular tourist attraction. The 680-ft. battleship was in need of extensive hull repairs after spending 38 years in the muddy waters of Mobile Bay. The USS Alabama sits in about 10 feet of water while her hull rests in another 20 feet of mud. To get to the corroded portions of the hull, a cofferdam was built around the ship and the water pumped out. Approximately 4 feet of mud was excavated from both the port and starboard sides of the vessel. vessel. Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services removed 10,000 square feet of corroded steel from the battleship's hull.

04 Jan 2007

Polar Sea Arrives in McMurdo

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Sea arrived in McMurdo after a 10,200 nautical mile transit from its home port in Seattle, Washington. Polar Sea made stops in Honolulu, Hawaii and Sydney, Australia during its voyage south. The Polar Sea, a 399-ft. polar class icebreaker with a 150-person crew, is recently out of a two-year overhaul. The Polar Sea conducted sea trials in the Arctic this summer to test all the ship's equipment and train the crew prior to transiting to Antarctica to re-supply the McMurdo station for the National Science Foundation. For the past 50 years, Coast Guard icebreakers have deployed to Antarctica in support of the Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze…

28 Nov 2005

Derecktor Shipyards Chosen By SENESCO For Subcontract

Company (SENESCO) to provide construction support on a 140,000 barrel fuel barge project. Derecktor garnered the job as a result of their unique ability to bend one inch thick steel in the compound curves required on the project. Derecktor will build the bow section as well as roll the plate for both the stern and the section just aft of the bow. "Being chosen for the job by SENESCO, a leader in double-hulled barge construction and itself a specialist in steel fabrication, is a gratifying endorsement of our abilities and our record of delivering for the customer" commented Derecktor General Manager Gavin Higgins. The work will be done at Derecktor's 23-acre Bridgeport CT facility and is expected to be completed in March 2006.

12 May 2003

Offshore-Inland To Repair USS Alabama

Mobile, Ala.-based Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services has been subcontracted by Jordan Pile Driving Inc. to repair the hull of the battleship USS Alabama, one of the state of Alabama's most popular tourist attractions. Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services has been tasked with installing 18,000 sq. ft. of .5-in. inch thick steel plating on the battleship's hull at and below the waterline. Currently, Offshore-Inland is in the process of replacing the rusted sections of the hull to provide a solid base for the steel plating. The hull refurbishment, which is a part of overall improvements to the park, will be completed by late December 2003.

05 Jan 2000

Offshore Supply Vessels Rebuilt - Cargo Handling, Tank Sounding Automated

Two circa-1980 vessels are moored — decommissioned, but preserved from corrosion — in the frigid, dry climate of Murmansk, Russia. The hulls are a superior grade of 22 mm thick steel - not economical to duplicate today, and of significant value. The challenge: rebuild the vessels to meet newbuild standards, and use them in a pending long term contract with a large oil company to supply offshore rigs in the huge Terra Nova oil field off the east coast of Newfoundland. Secunda Marine Services Limited of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada met this challenge, and now has two multi function, ice class 1C, anchor handling tug supply vessels to add to their fleet. After purchasing the vessels from a Russian oil company in 1998, Secunda transported them to their Dartmouth shipyard.