Mild Steel News

International trade by sea has long been a key part of the world economy and approximately 90% of traded commodities is reliant on shipping. Once wind-propelled in the days of sail, the current generation of ships now heavily rely on fossil fuels. Fossil fuel propulsion contributes to global warming with carbon emissions approximating 940 MtCO2e per year and also has health implications for communities surrounding ports through the release of air pollutants. The environmental impact of fossil-fuelled engines is further compounded by their use in port infrastructure…

The technology group Wärtsilä and Danish ship operator A.P. Moller - Maersk have provided a means for preventing corrosion in scrubber discharge pipes. The permanent in-pipe solution is designed to solve corrosion problems associated with open-loop scrubber washwater discharge.The majority of the estimated 5,000 scrubber systems installed across the global fleet are of open-loop configuration. With this system, seawater is used to scrub SOx from the exhaust gas, with the used water then being discharged back to the sea after cleaning.Under IMO Guidelines…

Jeff Chittim, ESAB’s North American Senior Product Manager for Heavy Industrial Products, discusses how WeldCloud online applications and the ESAB Heavy Industrial Product Line are a powerful tandem to help shipyards improve weld quality and efficiency.While automation has gone a long way in making shipyards more efficient, today shipbuilding remains a hands-on endeavor, with a dearth of ‘welders and fitters’ being a common lament.Technology companies such as ESAB, a global supplier of welding and cutting solutions across industries…

The outlook for India's ship-breaking industry has turned negative amid volatile scrap prices and a falling rupee, says ICRA.The country's ship-breaking activity, while tepid during CY2019 due to subdued demand and depressed scrap prices, gathered momentum at the start of CY2020 following the implementation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sulphur cap regulations from January 2020. But weakness in the international shipping markets further aggravated by the coronavirus has since dampened sentiments.

The Methanol Institute has welcomed the findings of the MethaShip research project which has concluded that renewable Methanol offers a long term solution for the industry’s ambitious carbon emission reduction strategy.The MethaShip partners found that Methanol can offer a dramatic improvement in emissions reduction across multiple ship types once the IMO has established the statutory framework conditions necessary for an industry-wide reduction of CO2 emissions.“The whole shipping sector is facing major challenges with ever stricter emission regulations for ships, paired with a growing environmental awareness among ship owners and passengers alike,” says MethaShip Project Leader Daniel Sahnen of MEYER WERFT.

Liverpool marine fabrication firm Wren Industrial has manufactured and installed a collection of new water-tight and fire-rated doors for leading UK ferry operator Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. The welding and fabrication specialist has a long-standing relationship with the famous ferry firm, which is renowned as the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world - founded in 1830. The latest contract involved ‘through-night’ door maintenance onboard freight, passenger and vehicle ferries the Manannan and Ben-my-Chree.

Rapido Gee, a 42m steel monohull utility vessel, has been delivered and is currently in transit to the Middle East. The vessel will be operated by Rashied Marine Services in the service of offshore platforms. Designed by Incat Crowther and built by Strategic Marine, Rapido Gee is a further development of the design used for the 10 vessel fleet of Infield Utility Vessels delivered by the shipbuilder. In response to calls for construction simplicity, Incat Crowther reengineered the vessel with mild steel used in the hull in place of the original high tensile steel.

The delivery of tug Civitavecchia to the Italian tugboat operator Italtugs for its operation at a Sicilian oil terminal represents another milestone in the tchnical cooperation between Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey and the Canadian naval architects, Robert Allan Limited. Combining Sanmar’s experience as an international tugboat operator with RAL’s design expertise has resulted in some 150 vessels being built at either of the former’s custom-built shipyards. Now, this latest delivery is the first vessel of the Ulucay Class which is based on the RAstar 3200W design.

The fast-paced marine industry faces constant demands for efficiency and productivity – both from its workers and the equipment they use. That’s why, five years ago, MetalCraft Marine embarked upon a much-needed welding equipment upgrade when it discovered that the machines spent more time in repair mode than in active production. The Kingston, Ontario-based integrated designer and builder of custom, high-performance, aluminum workboats, which also operates a U.S. facility in Cape Vincent…

Gary Norville started at Messer Cuttings Systems Inc. in September 1980 selling and installing cutting machines. Norville worked in many different departments during his career with Messer, gaining vast knowledge of the company while working his way up the corporate ladder, eventually earning the position of President and CEO in 2007. Messer announced today that Norville’s last day will be August 29, 2014. “If you work over the years in several different positions in a company, you cannot help but ask yourself…how do I see the future development of this organization?

ESAB Cutting Systems introduces Crossbow, a compact oxy-fuel/plasma CNC cutting system that is portable and economical. According to ESAB , the machine’s size and weight make it easy to transport as the application requires. Automated functions and a user friendly CNC provide powerful, versatile, oxy-fuel or plasma processing in a value-minded package. Crossbow is suited for trade schools, small fabrication shops, maintenance and repair shops, or for portable use within large facilities or at construction sites.

Decision made: ASRY, Bahrain, to scrap 'Stolt Valor, seriously damaged by explosion & fire in the Arabian Gulf in mid-March 2012. The  2004-built 25,268dwt chemical tanker arrived at the yard under tow at the end of June, following a major salvage operation carried out by Holland’s Smit. Initially, she was to be inspected and assessed for damage with a view to returning the vessel to a seaworthy state for towing to a ship-breaking yard. However, after many weeks of discussion the vessel’s owner has decided to break up the tanker at ASRY, using a team of specialists brought in from Belgium.

Chittagong-based ship-breakers imported 42 large-sized recyclable ships in February and March this year at a cost of US$ 45 million, according to Jasim Khan's news report in the Financial Express. Industry sources said the ships will be able to supply about one million tonnes of MS rod -- a major construction material -- against the annual national demand for four million tonnes. The government earlier suspended import of recyclable ships for about a year to reduce related accidental and environmental hazards. Later on, it introduced new rules for ship breaking, and formed a Ship Breaking Cell at the Ministry of Industries to implement the rules.

ESAB Cutting Systems continues its long history of plasma cutting system innovation with the new Smart Voltage Height Control (SVHC) system. SVHC improves plasma cut quality and maximizes plasma consumable life by automatically compensating for electrode wear. By integrating a number of plasma and CNC features that have existed for many years, this new system lets plasma users receive maximum value from their cutting machines, improving performance and driving down the total cost of production.

Mack Manufacturing developed the original five-tine orange peel grab to help scrap handlers and steel processors to hold and retain larger loads more efficiently. Specifically designed for electric overhead cranes moving scrap in steel mills, the OPSISCH-350-5 grapple is a completely self-contained electric drive unit, ready for operation with a large 3.5 yard capacity. The grapple’s heat-treated alloy steel construction combines light weight for high efficiency and lift capacity with rugged strength, including heat-treated steel pins and shafts sized to ensure maximum service life.

From heavy and oversize structural iron to loose steel turnings, Mack Manufacturing has the right solution to every material handling requirement. The Mack OPSIHCR-200-4 independent-tine scrap grapple is purpose-built for heavy-duty use on all types of hydraulic cranes and mobile scrap-handling equipment. This standard 4-tine unit is designed for maximum load retention with a 2 yard lifting capacity and continuous hydraulic rotation for ease of control. Furnished to order with the required connector for any boom point, each grab is shipped pre-hosed and ready to go.

Inchcape Shipping Services launches state-of-the-art anti-piracy solution. Cost effective armour protection provides unrivalled countermeasures to safeguard vessel and crew welfare. Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), a maritime services provider, and Vessel Protection Solutions (VPS)  announced the launch of a new anti-piracy partnership that will provide the ultimate protection for vessels and their crews while operating in known piracy regions. The solutions will provide customers…

New UltraCore HD-C Wire from Lincoln Electric Provides High Deposition Rates in All Positions for Shipbuilding and Many Other Applications. UltraCore® HD-C is a mild-steel gas-shielded flux-cored wire produced by Lincoln Electric. It’s an ideal choice for out-of-position welding requirements with 100 percent CO2 in the shipbuilding industry and other fabrication applications. Designed to provide high deposition rates and a flat bead appearance in all positions, UltraCore HD-C delivers premium arc performance and fast-freezing slag with a low fume-generation rate. UltraCore HD-C has a wide operating range and is able to reach deposition rates of up to 10 lbs/hour, even in out-of-position applications.

HMS Invincible is for sale by tender. The aircraft carrier HMS Invincible is being auctioned online as part of a multi-million-pound sale of UK military hardware. The sale is designed to reduce a £36billion hole in the MoD’s finances. Featured on the MoD’s Disposal Services Authority website - http://www.edisposals.com - are full details on the ship, which was laid down in 1973 at Vickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in-Furness, and is the ship from which Prince Andrew flew helicopters during the 1982 Falklands War.

International Paint has introduced Interline9001, a new Bimodal Epoxy coating for the cargo tanks of chemical tankers. With enhanced cargo resistance, zero absorption for many cargoes and fewer cycling restrictions, Interline9001 simplifies the carriage of a wide range of liquid cargoes, optimizing vessel earning potential. Modern chemical tankers of IMO Ship type I, II and III are designed and equipped to handle a very wide range of liquid cargoes ranging from relatively innocuous materials such as vegetable oils to more aggressive types such as ethylene dichloride and caustic soda.

Thermal Dynamics®, a Thermadyne® brand and a producer of manual and automated plasma cutting systems, has added the Ultra-Cut® 400 to its line of high precision automated plasma systems. Joining the Ultra-Cut 100, Ultra-Cut 200 and Ultra-Cut 300, the Ultra-Cut 400 is designed to deliver 400 amps at 200V at 100% duty cycle. It offers production piercing and cutting up to 2 inches on mild steel, stainless steel and 2-1/4 inch aluminum. New Ultra-Cool™ consumable parts technology delivers parts life at 400 amps with O2/Air. All Ultra-Cut systems include the Water Mist Secondary (WMS®) process for cost effective precision cutting of nonferrous materials. Along with these offerings, Thermal Dynamics has introduced a new Diameter PRO™ technology with its XT-Series of CNC controls.

Representing an important milestone for U.S. commercial shipbuilding, the delivery of the 141,740-dwt Polar Endeavour signaled the unfolding of a major new chapter of investment in the fleet dedicated to coastwise transportation of Alaskan crude oil. Giving first form to the Millennium concept, the tanker has been purpose-designed for trade in the world's most environmentally-sensitive waters. While Polar Tankers' main requirement of the Millennium-class is to ship crude to Puget Sound from the Trans Alaska Pipeline terminal at Valdez, the series is also suited to the needs of the traffic to California and Hawaii. The program had been implemented in 1997…

Representing an important milestone for U.S. commercial shipbuilding, the delivery of the 141,740-dwt Polar Endeavour signaled the unfolding of a major new chapter of investment in the fleet dedicated to coastwise transportation of Alaskan crude oil. Giving first form to the Millennium concept, the tanker has been purpose-designed for trade in the world's most environmentally-sensitive waters. While Polar Tankers' main requirement of the Millennium-class is to ship crude to Puget Sound from the Trans Alaska Pipeline terminal at Valdez, the series is also suited to the needs of the traffic to California and Hawaii. The program had been implemented in 1997…