UK: Vibrancy for Business at Seawork 2011

There was a real vibrancy to the 14th edition of Seawork. While the business of maintaining Europe’s marine infrastructure is important work, the prospects surrounding marine renewable energy are proving exciting.

By making the most of these opportunities for business, Seawork continues to reinforce its position as Europe’s leading commercial marine exhibition and conference.

This year’s 14th annual Seawork drew an enthusiastic response from all who attended the three-day event. Held in the ABP Port of Southampton (14-16 June), there were almost 12% more visitors than in the previous year. Of particular significance was the increase in those travelling from overseas. Examples included a party of 12 foreign Naval Attachés from countries including North and South America, Europe and Asia. They were escorted by staff from UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI/DSO) and visited a large number of companies to talk export business, including a trip out on HMS Trumpeter – a 20m Patrol Boat manned by Royal Navy personnel and cadets from Southampton University. Captain IO Kocer, the Turkish Defence and Naval Attaché, said that Seawork was an ideal opportunity to keep abreast of developments in vessels and innovative equipment.

Focus on Marine Renewables & Supply Chain

Significant business success stories during Seawork arose from its focus on marine offshore renewable energy and its impact on the associated supply chain, including vessels, propulsion systems and equipment tailored to this burgeoning new industry.

South Boats strong at Seawork with £28m orders

South Boats confirmed 15 vessel orders during Seawork 2011 including an order for 2 x Incat Crowther-designed South Boats 17.5m Wind Farm Service Vessels for P&O, to be delivered in September & October 2011.

Ben Colman, Technical Director of South Boats, said: “The delivery schedule will, of course, be a challenge for the company but with our increased capability we are confident that we can make the date. This brings the value of our total orders at Seawork for 15 WFSV vessels to a total in excess of £28 million.”

Ben continued: “Seawork has become the leading marine renewable supply chain exhibition. Our suppliers and customers now come here. The middle day of the exhibition – Wednesday – was the busiest day at any exhibition anywhere I’ve ever been to and any day at Seawork is 50 times better than any other exhibition anywhere else.”

Scania Success

As evidence of the importance of the renewable energy supply chain, Sweden-based Scania confirmed the sale of 16 x DI16M marine engines to South Boats for wind farm service vessels at Seawork. The vessels range between 15m and 16m and each will have a twin installation. All engines and vessels will be delivered this year.

South Boats’ 9 vessel order for MTU

South Boats also placed an order worth in excess of €2.5 million with MTU for engines to power nine wind farm service vessels. The 18 engines will produce a staggering 21,400 horse power in total, and have the highest power to weight ratio in the market.

Gardline names two new Alicats at Seawork

Gardline Environmental handed over the keys of one of their new Alicat crew transfer vessels during Seawork.

An 18m jet boat named Marianarray is being delivered to London Array, on the outer Thames Estuary – currently the world’s largest consented wind farm – as the first of three crew transfer vessels being chartered from Gardline. The hand-over ceremony was attended by Richard and Marian Rigg of London Array.

Following a blessing by Peter Paine, Port Chaplain for the port of Great Yarmouth, of both Marianarray and a second 20m Alicat, Gaillion, Phil Durrant, Managing Director of Gardline Marine Sciences Limited commented “We are delighted to present both these vessels today. Client reaction to our Alicat vessels has been tremendous, and we look forward to many more similar orders”.

Rosy Prospects for Rolls-Royce

Andy Brett of Rolls-Royce reported: “As a result of being at Seawork on a regular basis and building up relationships, Rolls-Royce has taken several orders for its water-jet systems, including jets for the latest vessel to be built by Holyhead Marine for its sister company Turbine Transfers. The latest order, for a wind farm support vessel designed by BMT Nigel Gee, is for twin FF600 water jets coupled with the very latest control system with joystick control.”

Seawork Innovation Awards

The direct impact of the renewables industry on the commercial marine sector was evidenced by the results of the Seawork Innovation Awards.

Houlder Ltd was presented with the prestigious Seawork Spirit of Innovation Trophy at the Innovation Awards Dinner for its offshore wind Turbine Access System (TAS). The lightweight motion-compensated gangway, developed with BMT Nigel Gee, provides safe and reliable access from workboats in the offshore wind industry. It is already featured in several vessel designs. Increasing the significant wave height window for personnel transfer from 1.5m to 2.0m allows quick resets and minor turbine repairs to be undertaken on a higher proportion of North Sea work days.

On receiving the Spirit of Innovation Trophy, Rupert Hare, MD, Houlder said: “Winning the Seawork Innovations Showcase repays – in an instant – all the efforts of the Houlder team in the development of our Turbine Access System. We are a UK employee-based business and our future is looking good. We must recognise the contribution made by BMT Nigel Gee in this success.”

By closing day of Seawork, on Thursday 16th June, Mike Carter reported that, since winning the coveted Spirit of Innovation Award, Houlder had been contacted by a number of vessel constructors with prospective orders in the WSFV sector: “Our trophy success has given us a high profile entry into this expanding market and expectations of growth internationally”’ Mike concluded.

Seawork Innovations Showcase Winners

Seawork Innovations Showcase category winners were:

Vessel Design & Construction: Damen – High Speed Support Vessel 2610

Marine Civil Engineering & Construction: Wave Craft UK – Waveblade PLUS

Marine Equipment, Electronics & Materials: UNIMEC Srl – Sigmadrive

Diving & Underwater Technology: GRP Laminates, MSV Explorer

Safety & Training: EchoPilot – 2D Forward Looking Sonar

Renewable Energy Marine Supply Chain: Houlder Ltd – Turbine Access System (TAS)

Renewable Energy Onboard Generation and Conservation – KPM-Marine – EcoMast wind generator

Casper Vermeulen of Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards was delighted to win the Innovation Award in the Vessel Design & Construction category for the High Speed Support Vessel 2610: “Winning a Seawork Innovation Award will be very useful in future publicity and the exhibition has been the perfect forum in which to introduce this catamaran, which can maintain high speeds in 2m significant wave height, to the offshore wind industry. We’ve spoken to developers and turbine manufacturers among others and the feedback has been very promising. This is my 13th Seawork, and it’s been busier than ever.”

[mappress]
Source: SeaWork, June 23, 2011.