Inert Gas Systems News

AD Ports Group in collaboration with KazMorTransFlot (KMTF), the national shipping company of Kazakhstan, has announced the acquisition and commencement of operations of two tankers designed for the transportation of Kazakhstan's oil across the Caspian Sea.The two oil tankers were named Liwa and Taraz - after ancient cities in the UAE and Kazakhstan, respectively, and have been acquired under AD Ports Group’s joint venture with KMTF - Caspian Integrated Maritime Solutions (CIMS).The two vessels represent a combined investment of USD35 million…

Alfa Laval signed an agreement to acquire marine tank cleaning equipment supplier Scanjet.Scanjet has expanded from fixed and portable tank cleaning equipment into intelligent tank management, and its solutions and organization will become part of Alfa Laval per an agreement signed on 16 June 2022.“Scanjet is a tank cleaning innovator with exciting developments in the pipeline,” says Alfa Laval’s Peter Nielsen, President of Marine Separation & Heat Transfer, whose business unit will receive the acquisition.

A significant number of existing and newbuild vessels are operating systems and machinery containing asbestos despite regulations introduced 10 years prohibiting the use of the hazardous substance on board, according to maritime testing facility Maritec.Maritec, which carried out asbestos surveys for IMO compliance between 2011 and 2020, said more than 55% of in-service vessels and 50% of all newbuilds were found to contain asbestos materials.John Rendi, General Manager, Environmental Services…

Finnish technology group Wärtsilä said it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with SAACKE, the Germany-based supplier of marine firing plants for seagoing vessels, offshore plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.A central feature of the agreement is a cooperation regarding safety, in particular with Inert Gas Systems (IGS) and Gas Combustion Units (GCU), Wärtsilä  said, adding that the deal will enable both partners to offer larger and more comprehensive scopes of supply…

Centerline Logistics acquired Saltchuk Marine Services’ California ship refueling business, currently operated by subsidiary Foss Maritime Company. According to a press release from Centerline, this "major acquisition" brings together the combined capabilities of two of the nation’s leaders in petroleum transportation, strengthening Centerline’s position as a provider of around the clock bunkering (ship refueling) services.Through this expansion, Centerline will "substantially…

An Alfa Laval Smit Combustion system (FU type) is now installed at the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark. The system, which adds inert gas production to the center’s already comprehensive range of full-scale vessel applications, will ensure that Alfa Laval remains at the forefront of developing and optimizing inert gas systems.Inaugurated in 2014, the Alfa Laval Test & Training Center is essentially a full-sized machine room on land, with equipment from all of Alfa Laval’s marine product groups installed in process lines as they would be on a commercial vessel.

The fatal explosion in the pump room on the Brazilian FPSO Cidade de São Mateus in February 2015, demonstrated the potential for major accidents on this type of unit. Although there has never been an explosion in the oil storage tanks of an FPSO, there is a potential for such an event and offshore operators should assess the risks of such events to design against them. It is therefore imperative that risk assessments of FPSOs address this type of event. For this, they need to estimate its annual likelihood of occurring.

Heat transfer, separation and fluid handling technology specialist, Alfa Laval, has expanded its Test & Training Center in Aalborg, Denmark with a new gas testing facility. At the same time it continues developing new technologies in the areas of ballast water treatment, sulfur oxide emission control, touchscreen boiler control, fuel efficiency automation for inert-gas systems and methanol booster systems. Alfa Laval, a global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on the key technologies of heat transfer…

The Alfa Laval Automatic Fuel Efficiency Module (AFEM) is a new modification for reducing the fuel consumption of Alfa Laval Smit Combustion inert gas systems. It does so by ensuring the inert gas that keeps cargo safe during offloading is only generated in the exact amounts required. In a two-year pilot project, the AFEM allowed Italian shipping company Navigazione Montanari S.p.A. to achieve an average fuel savings of 30 percent. Based in Fano on the Adriatic Sea, Navigazione Montanari owns and manages a fleet of 21 tankers.

The Oil Companies International Marine Forum’s (OCIMF) latest information paper, released on March 13, addresses the use of inert gas for the carriage of flammable oil cargoes. In the paper, titled Inert Gas Systems: the use of inert gas for the carriage of flammable oil cargoes, OCIMF fully supports the IMO introduction (from January 1, 2016) of the mandatory fitting to new build tankers 8,000 DWT and over, of an inert gas system when carrying flammable cargoes. “The safety benefits of inert gas in cargo tanks are well recognized throughout the tanker industry…

The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the IMO, the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework, a demonstrably improved shipping industry, good systems of preparedness and response and adequate compensation for those affected by spills. Demand for oil remains strong and shipping remains the most effective means of meeting that demand.

The 50 years since the grounding of the tanker Torrey Canyon in 1967 have seen dramatic and sustained reduction in major oil spills from ships, thanks to cooperation between Governments and industry. The story of how that incident served as a catalyst for positive change is told in a new exhibition which was launched on Monday (16 January) at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency with responsibility for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of pollution from ships. A series of panels chart the collaborative work which has resulted today in a comprehensive regulatory framework…

Kidde Fire Systems  launched a new control head monitor (CHM) for electric actuators and solenoid monitors for directional valves. The new CHM is fully compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2001-2012 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems and is designed for simple installation on existing Kidde systems. According to the company, electric actuators are commonly used as activating devices for the release of a fire suppression agent in the event of a fire and the NFPA requires these devices to be in place and ready to activate.

A number of important amendments to IMO treaties enter into force on 1 January 2016, including new requirements for verification of compliance, making audits mandatory under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme. Other amendments entering into force include SOLAS amendments to require inert gas systems on board new oil and chemical tankers of 8,000 dwt and above; the latest amendment to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code; requirements for stability instruments on tankers and new testing requirements for life-jackets. Amendments to a number of treaties covering safety, training, prevention of pollution, load lines, tonnage measurement and collision prevention make the audits under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme mandatory for all IMO Member States from 1 January 2016.

Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions has re-introduced the Maritime Protection nitrogen inert gas system with significant functionality improvements designed to provide efficient performance and a longer operational life. The primary enhancement is a unique system design with one of the smallest physical footprints in the market. In addition, it only requires service access from two sides, meaning that it can be located in a corner, allowing for flexible, space-saving installation. The system is also fitted with a fully automated control and monitoring system that protects the membranes from potential damage and costly repairs. Designed to protect flammable and sensitive cargo during transportation…

BP Shipping today celebrates its 100-year anniversary, making it the longest continually operating company in the BP group. Formed on April 30, 1915 as the British Tanker Company, the business has adapted to significant world events including two world wars, the Great Depression, closures of the Suez Canal, and the impact of oil nationalisations on the world economy and the movement of oil and gas. BP Shipping has also played its role in the evolution of safer and more environmentally sustainable shipping practices including inert gas systems, crude oil washing and double hulling, and has used its marine skills in the design and development of ground-breaking hybrid vessels in support of offshore oil and gas exploration.

BP Shipping celebrated its 100-year anniversary yesterday, making it the longest continually operating company in the group. Formed on April 30, 1915 as the British Tanker Company, the business has contributed to two world wars, the Great Depression, the closures of the Suez Canal, and the impact of oil nationalisations on the world economy and the movement of oil and gas. It has also played a role in the evolution of safer and more environmentally sustainable shipping practices including inert gas systems, crude oil washing and double hulling. The firm has been responsible for the construction of more than 500 oil and gas tankers – an average launch rate of one new ship every 10 weeks of the century – as well as a myriad of small vessels to support BP’s international operations.

LNG and LPG carrier tanks hold both a source of income and a potential source of danger. To avert the danger, inert gas systems (IGS) have been required on all new tankers over 20,000 dwt since 1978 — a move that has surely saved untold lives. Yet with increasing demand, tighter delivery schedules, the constant need to optimize onboard footprints and numerous other factors, Alfa Laval believes IGS should go beyond fire safety to protect against other disasters that chisel away at the potential income for both shipyards and shipowners.

IMO informs that its Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has adopted important SOLAS amendments related to inert gas systems as well as amendments to a number of treaties to bring into force the mandatory IMO audit scheme. In addition it has approved, in principle, the draft Polar Code and related amendments to make the Code mandatory under SOLAS, with a view to formal adoption at its next session in November. The MSC met at the Organization's London headquarters for its 93rd session, from 14 to 23 May 2014. The MSC approved, for consideration with a view to adoption at its November 2014 session (MSC 94), the draft new SOLAS chapter XIV “Safety measures for ships operating in polar waters”…

A model of the hi-tech WSD 1000 MPSV, a multi-purpose offshore supply vessel with a unique fuel-efficient design, proven hull lines & an integrated equipment package from Wärtsilä, will be on display at the upcoming Expo. Wärtsilä will be at Stand N2F51 at Marintec China 2013, 3 - 6, December 2013 in Shanghai.

Wärtsilä to supply a combined inert gas generator & gas combustion unit for 2 new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers being built at the DSME yard in South Korea for Canada-based Teekay Corp. The concept of combining the two systems was developed by Wärtsilä in cooperation with DSME, and the system burns the boil off gas using an already existing Wärtsilä Moss inert gas generator. In so doing, it eliminates the need for a conventional gas combustion unit thus providing capital expenditure savings for the customer. Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to begin in autumn 2014.

Wärtsilä has developed the GasReformer, a product which converts associated gas, which is often flared, into usable fuel for its dual-fuel engines. When producing oil, associated gas is also released from the deposits. In many places this gas is commonly burnt off in gas flares, a waste of energy and a pollutant of the atmosphere. In addition to useful methane, this gas consists of heavier hydrocarbons including ethane, propane and butane. The composition of the gas typically also vary during the production phase of the oil field.

Wärtsilä is to supply inert gas systems for a Floating Storage Unit (FSU) on Norway's Heidrun offshore oil & gas field, and for two supporting shuttle tankers. The FSU is owned by Statoil, the Norwegian state owned energy company, and the tankers by AET Tanker Holdings, the Singapore based petroleum transportation company. All three vessels are being built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in South Korea. The Wärtsilä contract with SHI was signed in February 2013. Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for October, 2013.