UK: Worldwide Appeal of Seawork 2012

With more overseas involvement than ever before, Seawork (22-24 May, Southampton) in its 15th year is set to deliver an outstanding performance as a demonstration arena and meeting venue of international importance.

The world afloat

On the pontoons, Sweden is represented by Light Marin and combat, patrol and pilot boat specialists Dockstavarvet, which will be displaying an Alupilot 17 M. Rosborough Boats of Canada, builders of semi-custom made craft for over 50 years, will bring a 9m vessel to Seawork. Safehaven Marine of Eire will exhibit a self-righting pilot/rescue vessel, based on the Interceptor 38 pilot, designed for multiple operational roles of pilotage, patrol and search & rescue.

Also afloat, the skills of Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards will be represented by offshore service provider MarineCo and its latest High Speed Support Vessel 2610 Twin Axe Bow catamaran, which includes notable design adaptations such as a 20,000 litre fuel tank, 50% more accommodation and a larger bridge.

International Appeal

In the halls, some of the exhibitors from beyond Europe include Schwetz Design and Austal from Australia, offering world-leading technology to provide and support wind farm service vessels. Seakeeper from the USA continues its aggressive commercial marine growth; the gyro stabiliser manufacturer recently shipped M21000 units for testing with Danish exhibitor Hvide Sande shipyard (HSSB). The gyros will be used aboard 25m and 34m monohull wind farm support vessels for DONG Energy, a Danish leader in offshore wind farm development and construction.

The near-European continent will be strongly represented by companies from France (Moteurs Baudouin, Sibiril Technologies and Navalu, introducing two multipurpose high-speed catamarans) and the Netherlands. Dutch companies at Seawork include: WKM Cornelisse Trading, Neptune Marine Services, Ravestein, Spyderco Inc, Damen Shipyards, Sun Marine Seats and Stemat, whose new marine App provides customers with accurate and up-to-date information about fleet, equipment and services.

Abeking & Rasmussen from Germany offers all kinds of offshore service vessels and workboats and A&R’s SWATH@A&R technology promises smooth rides, especially in high seas.

The Scandinavian contingent includes, from Sweden, Meson AB, Ullman Dynamics and Beijer Electronics with its new market-leading iX platforms with outstanding graphics and functionality. Servogear from Norway will be exhibiting – for the first time in the UK – a full scale, fully functioning propulsion system: Servogear Ecoflow PropulsorTM, similar to those fitted in many wind farm service vessels. Representing Denmark, shipyard A/S Hvide Sande will be joined by Danish Yachts, launching its new range of commercial vessels – SeaStrider, their first carbon fibre SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull). Finland’s Targa range, popular with police authorities, will be presented by Wessex Marine showing the new Targa 32 model which can be configured for any commercial role.

Companies at Seawork from Mediterranean Europe include Loca Engineering from Turkey, Mercurio Plastics and Ibericisa from Spain and Agromare Shipyard from Italy, which designs and builds new low environmental impact workboats including light alloy catamarans for wind farm servicing. Unimec, also from Italy, has entered its STS3000 drive system, which isolates the engine from propeller thrust, into the Seawork Innovations Showcase.

Foreign Military Officials Attend

In 2012, UK Trade & Industry Defence Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) will once again organise a series of stand visits by UK-based foreign military officials. This year, for the first time, their presence will extend over two days – confirmation of Seawork’s importance for sourcing vessels and equipment for defence, border control and surveillance operations.

The officials, attracted by the opportunity to appraise the latest in maritime developments, will visit as many UK stands as possible.

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Source: Seawork , March 20, 2012