Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Vacon News

20 Sep 2021

Ship of the Month: Mercy Ships and the Quest to Build Global Mercy

Global Mercy is diesel electric (4 x Wärtsilä 6L32s, just under 3MW).  Designed by DeltaMarin in Finland, the ship uses ABB pods for propulsion for a 12-knot service speed. Photo courtesy Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is known globally for its charitable work performing medical procedures in developing countries. For the first time, the organization has a new ship, Global Mercy, recently delivered from a shipyard in China. Jim Paterson, Marine Executive Consultant, Mercy Ships takes Maritime Reporter & Engineering News inside the construction of the world’s largest civilian hospital ship.Jim Paterson already had a career and Chief Engineer’s Certificate when he joined Mercy Ships nearly 34 years ago, in search of a life change to make a difference.

15 Nov 2016

MPFSV Harvey Stone Delivered to Harvey Gulf

Image: Robert Allan Ltd.

The Harvey Stone is a Multi-Purpose Field Support Vessel (MPFSV) that will serve as a dedicated field support vessel for the Shell Stones FPSO offshore terminal. Her primary duties will be to operate as the dedicated pull-back tug, in support of, and assisting the berthing, loading and unberthing of offtake tankers of up to 46,287 SDWT. The vessel is expected to escort the above FPSO in the event of disconnection from the submerged buoy mooring for hurricane avoidance purposes…

04 Nov 2016

MAN Diesel & Turbo Sells First HyProp ECO System

HyProp ECO plant (Image: MAN Diesel & Turbo)

MAN Diesel & Turbo announced that it has secured an order for a complete propulsion package for a chemical tanker. The order is significant in that it marks a “world-first”: the package is the first to feature a full HyProp ECO fuel-saving, hybrid propulsion system with PTO/PTH. The system will be employed aboard a 7,500-dwt stainless-steel chemical tanker ordered and operated by IÇDAĹž Çelik Enerji Tersane Ve UlaĹźim Sanayi AĹž in Turkey. The propulsion package also features a MAN 6L32/44CR common-rail main engine…

13 Oct 2014

Vacon, One of 18 Selected by DoE

Global AC drives manufacturer, Vacon, has been named one of 18 industry-leading companies to participate in the Next Generation Power Electronics Institute at North Carolina State University. The Institute will bring research and commercial product development resources together in a centralized location to improve and make cost-competitive wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor-based power electronics. Over the next five years the institute will be financed with $70M in Department of Energy (DoE) support plus a collective $70M contribution from participating companies and other partners. “Vacon is honored and excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with some of the best minds from industry leading companies…

30 Sep 2014

Better Flow Control for Multi-pump Applications

The VACON 100 FLOW AC drive is engineered for improved flow control for multi-pump applications (photo courtesy of Vacon)

The VACON 100 FLOW is an AC drive designed to improve flow control for multi-pump applications in which several pumps are used in place of a single one. Multiple pump solutions help lighten the load by spreading it across several pumps, thus offering greater energy efficiency and system redundancy – if one pump fails, the others can take up the additional load. For operations in which demand fluctuates throughout the course of the day, such as a municipal water system providing peak water consumption in the morning and minimal usage at night…

14 Dec 2012

Vacon Receives Frost & Sullivan's Award

Frost & Sullivan announced global AC drives manufacturer Vacon as the recipient of the European Low Voltage (LV) Alternating Current (AC) Electric Drives Product Line Strategy Award for 2012. The accolade recognizes Vacon's achievements in effectively optimizing strategies, processes and performance. "Vacon is one of the leading manufacturers of LV AC electric drives in Europe. The company's expertise has enabled it to produce and market a range of drives which accommodates diverse end-user applications. Vacon has consistently developed products with improved safety features, reliability, efficiency and value-added benefits. VACON 100, VACON 100 X and VACON 20 X have all witnessed wide acceptance from the broad customer base in the European industry.

08 Oct 2012

Groundbreaking DC Bus System in New Ship

M/V Abis Dover: Photo credit Alwijnse Marine Systems

One of the first ships in the world to use a DC bus system for the main electrical installation recently entered service – the 'Abis Dover'. Built by ShipKits shipyared in a project that included Vuyk Engineering Groningen, Alewijnse Marine Systems, all based in The Netherlands, and Finland’s Vacon, the ship’s upper cargo hold is a remarkable 80 m (262.5 ft) in length, almost 75% of the LOA of 107m (351ft), achieved by avoiding space-consuming propellor shafts and going for the diesel-electric propulsion option.

05 Aug 2012

Norwegian Fishing Trawler Orders for Vacon AC Winch Drives

AC drives manufacturer Vacon will deliver 81 AC drives for 3 new fishing trawlers being built for Aker Seafoods. The new fishing vessels will be built at the STX shipyard in Braila, Romania. They will be further outfitted and commissioned at STX Brattvaag, Norway. The design of the new 70-metre-long STX FV01 trawlers will replace that of the older vessels, improving fuel efficiency and capacity for Aker Seafoods. The efficient operation of the trawls and equipment relies on 27 advanced winch systems controlled by Vacon's AC drives. The winch control systems are based on Vacon's new modular engineered common DC bus technology. The first delivery of AC drives for the trawlers took place in June 2012.

13 Jul 2011

Vacon Partners with Bristol Compressors

Global AC drives manufacturer Vacon has signed a three-year supply agreement with Virginia-based Bristol Compressors International Inc. The supply agreement covers design and manufacture of AC drives that will be used to control Bristol Compressors' Benchmark VStar variable speed compressors. "This partnership with Bristol Compressors allows Vacon to strengthen its foothold in North America in the high-volume residential HVAC marketplace which is an exciting growth opportunity for Vacon," says Tom Doring, President, Vacon North America. "This new compressor represents a major technical leap forward in efficiency and sound reduction, and we are excited to be part of the overall solution".

11 May 2011

Vacon Inaugurates New Factory In China

The global AC drives manufacturer Vacon inaugurated their new factory in Suzhou on 11 May 2011. Present at the inauguration ceremony were Consul General of Finland in Shanghai Mr Matti Heimonen, Vice Chairman of Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee Ms Sun Yanyan, members of Vacon's Board of Directors and management team, and Vacon partners from the Asia-Pacific region. Built to meet the company's growth targets, the new factory occupies a total area of 24,000 square meters. The new plant also has a R&D lab and the after-sales service center for the Asia-Pacific region. At the ceremony, Mr Jan Inborr, Chairman of Vacon's Board of Directors, and Mr Pertti Rajamäki, Managing Director of Vacon's subsidiary in China, outlined Vacon's future prospects.

14 Feb 2011

Alewijnse to Design & Install Electric Propulsion Drive on OSVs

Photo courtesy ClearLine Communications

Alewijnse Marine Systems is to design and install a new electric propulsion drive using a DC bus system for the main electric installation in three vessels (pictured below) to be built at Shipkits B.V. While the design of the drive is highly innovative, the application of proven technology and components enables the accurate prediction of reliability and performance for these vessels. Designed by Vuyk Engineering Groningen, the three vessels will be 351 ft in length, have a beam of 52.5 ft, and are designed for an offshore service role including the installation and support of wind farms.

27 Nov 2007

Vacon Receives Frost & Sullivan's Product of the Year Award

Frost & Sullivan has named Vacon 10, Vacon's new micro drive, the 2008 Product of the Year for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in the micro drives domain. The Frost & Sullivan Award for Product of the Year is presented each year to the product that has demonstrated superior performance, features and is competitively priced. The 2008 Frost & Sullivan Award for Product of the Year for OEMs in the micro drives (up to 5.5 kW) domain will be handed to Vacon by Frost & Sullivan's representative at the SPS/IPC/Drives exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany, on November 27, 2007.

24 Oct 2003

Vacon, Scanfil Agree on China Production

Vacon Plc has signed a memorandum of understanding with Scanfil Plc on production of the Vacon NXL low-power (under 3 kW) frequency converters in Suzhou, China, during the first year-quarter of 2004. The signed contract aims for a long-term cooperation in production and development of Vacon's logistics process. This contract has no impact on employment of Vacon personnel in Finland.

06 Nov 2007

Vacon Receives Type Approvals

The Finland-based AC drives manufacturer Vacon has received a type approval for marine use from the Norwegian certification body Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Earlier, Vacon received a type approval from the French certification body Bureau Veritas (BV). These approvals apply to Vacon's NXL, NXS and NXP ranges of AC drives. Vacon has delivered AC drives to control e.g. main propulsion, thrusters, steering gear as well as drawworks, topdrives, rotary tables and various types of winches. Deliveries also include a considerable number of AC drives to control pumps used in dredging, cooling, cargo handling and oil drilling. When AC drives are delivered further to an OEM or system integrator customer…

02 Nov 2007

Vacon Opens Office in Brazil

The AC drives manufacturer Vacon has inaugurated its office in São Paulo, Brazil to support its customers in Brazil and South America. With growing energy consumption, Brazil and South America in general are lucrative markets for energy-saving Vacon AC drives. Brazil is one of the world's major producers of sugar and ethanol, and it is estimated that 60 new sugar cane plants will be running by 2010. Brazil is the 10th largest energy consumer in the world and the largest in South America. Vacon variable speed AC drives bring considerable energy savings and improve process control. These two major benefits provide a huge market potential in South American countries, where the energy infrastructure is being built up and blackouts are frequent.

13 Sep 2007

Vacon Opens Service Center in the Netherlands

The AC drives manufacturer Vacon opens a new high-power service center in Gorinchem, the Netherlands, on September 13. Focusing on secured availability of high-power swap units and fast service, the new service center in Gorinchem will enhance Vacon's customer support in Europe. Among the invited guests at the grand opening will be customers, partners and Vacon Group management. "Top-class service has always been one of Vacon's strengths, and our strategy is to support our customers wherever they operate. With its central location and the excellent logistics services in the region, the new service center in Gorinchem will benefit our customers in Europe. The 960-m2 high-power service center in Gorinchem will support Vacon's subsidiaries and partners in Europe.

14 Mar 2007

Vacon opens subsidiary in Australia

The Finland-based AC drives manufacturer Vacon strengthens its global presence by opening a subsidiary in Australia. The grand opening will take place on March 15 in Melbourne, and the inaugural speech will be given by Mr Glen Lindholm, Finland's Ambassador to Australia. With the head office in Melbourne, and sales offices in Perth and Brisbane, Vacon Pacific will concentrate on serving the growing markets of Australia and the Pacific region. "By opening a subsidiary in Australia to cover the Pacific region, Vacon now has offices in 18 countries outside Finland. This is yet another important step supporting Vacon's strategy of a global presence and being closer to our customers.

23 Jan 2007

Vacon Opens Subsidiary in Chennai, India

The Finland-based AC drives manufacturer Vacon strengthens its global presence by opening a subsidiary in Chennai on the southeast coast of India. The grand office opening will be celebrated on January 24, 2007 with invitees representing the company, customers and cooperation partners. With a subsidiary in one of India's largest commercial and industrial centers, Vacon will further improve its service in the growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region. Vacon operates on its own or through partners in 100 countries. Taking more foothold in India follows closely Vacon's strategy of increasing its global presence. Despite its large annual energy production, India is a net energy importer. Overall, India's need for power is growing at a prodigious rate.

12 Feb 2007

Vacon Strengthens Distribution in Russia

The Finland-based AC drives manufacturer Vacon has signed a distributor agreement with Ruselprom, one of the biggest motor manufacturing companies in Russia. Vacon will supply drives to Ruselprom in the power range from 200 kW up to 2 MW. With its extremely rapid market growth and rising energy price, Russia is a very interesting and important area for Vacon. Market growth in Russia is even faster than in China. The high energy price encourages investments in AC drives, which bring considerable energy savings. Ruselprom supplies motors to a wide scope of industries ranging from oil and gas to chemical and petrochemical industry, machine building, metallurgy and construction. In accordance with the agreement, Ruselprom will sell and market Vacon AC drives through its own channels.

31 Aug 2006

Vacon Introduces ATEX-certified Thermistor Input

The AC drives manufacturer Vacon has developed an ATEX-certified thermistor input which is fully integrated in the drive. Certified and compliant with ATEX 94/9/EC, the integrated thermistor input is specially designed for the temperature supervision of motors that are placed in potentially hazardous areas. In contrast to a typical system with a separate thermistor relay and contactor, a thermistor input is designed to be fully integrated in the Vacon NXP drive, simplifying the use of drives together with Ex motors, i.e. motors that are designed and certified for use in potentially explosive environments. If extreme temperature is detected, the drive stops feeding energy to the motor and thus further heating of the motor is avoided.

02 Jul 2003

Nor-Shipping Roundup: Stepping Out in Oslo

The Nor-Shipping Exhibition concluded June 6, 2003. Following were some of the major announcements during the week in Oslo. Kongsberg won a contract for the control systems for four LNG tankers scheduled to be built in Japan. The ships will carry LNG from the Snohvit field to the U.S., Spain and France. Two of the ships are being built for Hoegh shipping lines at Mitsubishi Shipyards, while the other two are being built at the Mitsui and Kawasaki shipyards. Kelvin Hughes was awarded type approval for its ECDIS-based Track Control System. This is the first Approval of its type to be granted by LR and covers the integration of the company's ECDIS and Autopilot products into a system meeting the new IEC 62065 track control performance standard.

24 May 2006

New Compact AC drive

The AC drive manufacturer Vacon launched a new compact, efficient Vacon NXL. The standard unit fulfills the EMC requirements of industrial, public and residential environments. It can be installed on the wall without additional cabinets as the RFI filter and AC choke are integrated in the well-protected mechanics, IP21 or IP54. Available up to 30 kW in 400 V, the new Vacon NXL drive is a choice for all open-loop applications including conveyors, mixers, fans, pumps or packaging machines. requirements, from simple fan control to versatile machine control including PLC functions. "The new Vacon NXL is extremely easy to install and use. The credit-card-sized instruction guide is readily available in each unit," says Mr Heikki Hiltunen, Executive Vice President, Vacon Group.