TECH-INNOVATION POWERED
TECH-INNOVATION POWERED BY VDMA - MARINE EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS German marine suppliers – trends and technologies TECH-INNOVATION powered by VDMA – Marine Equipment and Systems: This section within the HANSA magazine features brief updates on technical developments, innovations and market launches from the powerful marine equipment industry organised in its association VDMA Sustainability as a competitive advantage Despite the continuing restrictions on travel and the increasing supply bottlenecks, German shipbuilding suppliers are looking positively to the future. One reason for this is their growing core know-how in the development of sustainable components and systems that will shape future demand in the wake of the maritime energy transition. In the meantime, the global shipping industry is more than fully utilised. Shipowners are earning very well and are ordering new merchant ships worldwide in particular. This development on the markets makes the industry optimistic for 2022 and expectations for the future are also clearly positive. However, this confidence is currently clouded by the partially interrupted supply chains and the lack of urgently needed components – an end to this shortage is not yet in sight. At the same time, companies are trying to integrate the Corona requirements as smoothly as possible into everyday operations and ensure value-added production. Sustainability In the development of sustainable products and sustainable production, German shipbuilding suppliers are very successful in competition and see themselves as enablers for the rapid implementation of the global sustainability goals in maritime transport. Legal requirements are not the only drivers here; environmental awareness has also risen sharply in large parts of the world. International companies and especially ports and their associated logistics units see themselves as pioneers in achieving the ambitious climate goals. The industry sees future issues in decarbonisation, the expansion of hydrogen technology, digitalisation and, above all, the necessary standardisation. Standardisation Current ship designs consist of more and more digital components. In addition to the increasingly complex mechanical modules, it is precisely the networking of the systems with a very large number of electronic units that leads to an increase in construction time and often also to challenges during commissioning. A standardised, internationally recognised and secure interface enables increased efficiency along the shipbuilding value chain. Even more – new applications through the evaluation of the huge amounts of data now available enable optimisation of routes, arrival times, maintenance intervals and, in principle, rapid reaction to environmental influences in the operation of the ship. In the meantime, the VDMA standard sheet »MTP (Module Type Package) in Shipbuilding« developed by companies in the maritime industry is available and can now be used. Together with the developed OPC UA Companion Specifications, the activities of IDATA (Industrial Digital Twin Association) and the WG Wireless Jörg Mutschler, Managing Director, VDMA – Marine Equipment and Systems Communications for Machines, this results in a strong template for standardisation in the industrial sector in Europe and the world. Policy The German shipbuilding and offshore supply industry generates 50 % of its turnover in Germany and Europe. It is precisely here that sustainable solutions are required. The »Green Deal« is an enormously important contribution to climate protection. But when it comes to implementation, things are not going well at the moment. One example of this is the delegated act on taxonomy. The mechanical engineering technologies that are so important for the green transition, and not only maritime ones, are only mentioned in passing. As a result, we must assume disadvantages for the industry in future financing. In view of the fact that 90 % of greenhouse gas emissions can be eliminated by mechanical engineering technologies, this is a clear misdirection. The VDMA, Europe’s largest industrial association, represents approx. 3,300 German and European companies in the engineering and plant construction sector. VDMA – Marine Equipment and Systems represents the exportoriented maritime sector serving the global markets of shipping, shipbuilding and the offshore oil & gas industry. © VDMA 38 HANSA – International Maritime Journal 01 | 2022
TECH-INNOVATION POWERED BY VDMA - MARINE EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS TECHNOLOG Design for Eastaway’s dual fuel-newbuildings The eight container ship newbuildings, which will operate in X-Press Feeders European and American trades, will be equipped with dual-fuel engines prepared for the operation on green methanol. The vessel lines are optimized for the future operational areas, allowing a »highly efficient and sustainable vessel design that will contribute to X-Press Feeders’ goal of operating a carbon-neutral fleet by 2050«, the designer says. Since the early concept stage of the project, Technolog is involved and developed the ship closely together with Eastaway, a member of X-Press Feeders Group. The result is a highly innovative and unique design which is tailor-made for X-Press Feeders’ trades and requirements. Special features are a deckhouse arrangement in the bow and a large open-top cargo hold. Further the vessel is The new containership can operate on regular fuel or green methanol © Technolog equipped with hatch covers and facilities for the stowage of numerous classes of dangerous goods. The ship has a capacity of 1,170 TEU and has a focus on carrying heavy 45-foot containers with a large number of reefer sockets. The modern design allows a low fuel consumption and a high level of comfort for the crew, Technolog says. The delivery of the first newbuilding is planned for 2023. By the end of the year 2024 all vessel will join the fleet. STEUTE Extreme, maritime foot controls © Steute Extreme foot switch for mooring systems As a manufacturer of switchgear for extreme and complex applications, Steute provides customers with its own range of offshore products especially developed for use in offshore, ship and port technology. Features of Steute’s devices include saltwater resistance, a robust construction, the necessary approvals and, where appropriate, Ex-versions. This product portfolio contains for example the offshore version of our GFSI foot control. The metal housing of this switching device is due to the company extraordinarily robust. A protective guard prevents accidental actuation, while various switching inserts mean that the switch can be adapted to individual applications. The housing, made of saltwater-resistant aluminium with stainless steel screws and mounted parts, is designed for reliable operation at sea and/or in ports. In their Ex-protected version, these foot controls can be used in gas-Ex zones 1 and 2, as well as dust-Ex zones 21 and 22. HANSA – International Maritime Journal 01 | 2022 39
