By
Rebecca Gibson |
UK shipyard and engineering services company Cammell Laird has developed advanced ‘bespoke environmental’ packages for ferries.
Cammell Laird’s environmental package addresses the various challenges posed by new environmental regulations – such as MARPOL Annex VI and the Ballast Water Management Convention – which cover carbon emissions, airborne pollution and the spread of aquatic nuisance species.
“There has never been greater pressure on ferry companies to become greener than now,” said Paul Ashcroft, technical manager at Cammell Laird. “As a result we have developed a highly advanced and specialised new environmental package addressing some of the hardest challenges that require considerable pre-planning.”
Designed to meet the specific needs of individual ferries, the solution can be customised to take into account the type of vessel, the geographical trading area, its age and operating profile.
“We have forged excellent links with a wide range of technology providers,” said Ashcroft. “Those providers are working closely with our design engineers and naval architects to develop solutions with services ranging from initial feasibility studies to comprehensive turnkey retrofits.”
Recently, the company completed a fleet study on a range of vessels to ensure that modifications to allow the main engine to primarily operate on marine diesel oil, rather than heavy fuel oil, will meet class approvals. Further projects include feasibility studies for the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems – known as scrubbers – and eco-economy measures to ensure the ships meet future emissions regulations in the North Sea.
Last year Cammell Laird also built and delivered two new passenger ferries for Western Ferries. Featuring an open vehicle deck, the two double-ended passenger ferries – Sound of Seil and Sound of Soay – operate between Hunter’s Quay, Dunoon and McInroy’s Point, Gourock, on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Catering for 200 passengers and up to 40 cars, the vessels are able to load freight vehicles of 44 gross tonnes up to 14 tonne axle load. They are powered by two Rolls-Royce Azimuth Thrusters, which are directly driven by a Cummins QSK19 diesel engine.
Other notable projects from the last year include a conversion contract from Orkney Ferries to lengthen Hoy Head from 39.5 m to 53.3 m, enabling the vessel to accommodate 24 cars, rather than 14. Funded by the Orkney Islands Council’s capital programme, the £2.7 million project took three days and included the addition of an 85 tonne midship section.
In addition, Cammell Laird installed a new propulsion system – consisting of two Volvo diesel engines, two Rolls-Royce Aquamaster thrusters and an additional bow thruster and engine – to improve the manoeuvrability and carbon footprint of the vessel. Passenger and crew areas were also remodelled.
In total, Cammell Laird docked 24 ferries and completed a further 24 afloat repairs between 2013 and the start of 2014, including work on both traditional ferries and high-speed vessels. Customers included Caledonian MacBrayne, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Irish Ferries, Mersey Ferries, NorthLink Ferries, Orkney Ferries, P&O Ferries, Seatruck Ferries and Stena Line.
“This has been a phenomenal year for ferry work for Cammell Laird,” said Ashcroft. “We want to win more work in the sector from the Irish Sea and beyond and know we can offer customers many benefits of working with us. The wide range of experience and expertise of our workforce, plus our world-class facilities means we can give our customers terrific service at great value.”