The Netherlands: IHC Merwede to Exhibit New Innovations at SMM 2010

All sea routes lead to the port of Hamburg – the largest port in Germany and second biggest in Europe – on 7-10 September for the biennial Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology (SMM) international trade fair. IHC Merwede will be taking its place on Stand 300 in Hall B4 as one of the leading exhibitors among the 2,000 companies representing 60 countries at the showpiece event.

As the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment, IHC Merwede is renowned for focusing on the development of innovative solutions, as highlighted by its position of the technology innovator. “We will be capitalising on our leading position within the shipbuilding industry at SMM 2010 with some exciting new initiatives,” explains IHC Merwede President Govert Hamers. “These efficient innovations are helping IHC Merwede to drive the market forward, as may be evidenced by our recent announcement concerning secured assignments for vessels and equipment to the value of more than €500 million.”

IHC Merwede’s investment in research and development (R&D) will be underlined at SMM 2010 with the introduction and promotion of the following recent innovations and applications:

• “LightHouse”

• 2,000m aluminium alloy fall pipe

• flexible spud carrier

• IHC backhoe dredger.

Leading the way is IHC Merwede’s pioneering usage of fibre composites in the “LightHouse” – a new design for the outer casing of the double walled dredge pump. IHC Parts & Services’ project team has already succeeded in significantly reducing the weight of the outer housing by over 60 per cent, the build-in length and time required for the replacement of the wear parts inside the pump. These improvements will result in increased availability, capacity and productivity of the complete dredging vessel. This will ultimately lead to a substantial gain in overall output and a reduction in exploitation costs.

IHC Deep Sea Dredging & Mining will also reveal that it has received a significant order for a fall pipe that will be used by Tideway (a DEME group company) to protect subsea pipelines and allow stones to be deposited to a depth of up to 2,000m. The 690mm-diameter, 11.9m-long standard pipe sections will be manufactured from a high-quality aluminium alloy, which is incredibly strong and has an extreme resistance to fatigue, surface and stress corrosion. In addition, the fall pipe has a special coupling mechanism that will allow it to automatically return to the deck in bad weather.

A spud carrier fitted to a standardised cutter suction dredger has been developed with hydraulic buffer cylinders to increase its flexibility. The cylinders are connected to nitrogen pressure vessels and can be set to move in or out at pre-defined forces acting on the spud connected to the sea floor. In this way, the dredger is able to move along with the waves – in case there is too much force – to prevent the spud bending or even breaking. The flexible spud carrier therefore reduces the potential risk of damage caused by extreme sea conditions.

Additionally, the effect of the sea state on the spud load is made visible, enabling the operator to make an informed decision on whether to stop or continue operations, which in turn will lead to the increased availability of the equipment. IHC Merwede has also joined forces with Liebherr-France (Mining and Marine Excavators division) to offer a unique product to the dredging industry – the IHC backhoe dredger. This is a stationary dredger fitted with a specially adapted Liebherr excavator that can be used for a wide range of marine operations.

The pontoon is equipped with three spuds for lifting and positioning – two close to the excavator and the third fitted on a hydraulically operated spud carrier on the opposite side of the dredger.

This integrated design offers customers the most economic solution in terms of operability, production and efficiency. In addition, IHC Lagersmit (Stand 153 in Hall A1) will present two new ”green” seals, which are designed for use at great depths: the SUPREME Ventus® DP, which guarantees zero-oil emission for thrusters; and the water-lubricated SUPREME® TG HP seal, which protects tidal turbines operating at great depths, and under high and variable pressures.

IHC Metalix, a specialist in producing construction kits for ship, yacht and offshore building, will be on Stand 52 in Hall B7 within the Holland Pavilion. It will exhibit its highly sophisticated logistics system of supplying detailed, sorted and documented construction parts.

This makes IHC Metalix an excellent partner in the supply chain for its customers.

Company profile IHC Merwede

IHC Merwede is focussed on the continuous development of design and construction activities for the specialist maritime sector. It is the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment – with vast experience accumulated over decades – and a reliable supplier of custom-built ships and supplies for offshore construction. IHC Merwede has in-house expertise for engineering and manufacturing innovative vessels and advanced equipment, as well as providing life-cycle support. Its integrated systematic approach has helped to develop optimum product performance and long-term business partnerships.

The company’s broad customer base includes dredging operators, oil and gas corporations, offshore contractors and government authorities. IHC Merwede has over 3,000 employees based at various locations in The Netherlands, China, Croatia, France, India, the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. Technological innovation will remain the company’s underlying strength through its continuous investment in research and development. Moreover, it helps to safeguard a sustainable environment.

[mappress]

Source: ihcmerwede, September 3, 2010