IPS Marine Fabrication refits two Stena Line ro-pax ferries

Marine engineering firm IPS Marine Fabrications has completed insulation and fabrication work onboard two of Stena Line’s ro-pax ferries.

Four IPS engineers took a week to carry out the repair work onboard Stena Superfast VII and Stena Superfast VIII while they continued service between Belfast and Cairnryan in Ireland.

While onboard, the engineers replaced numerous insulation pads across both vessels and designed, manufactured and installed high-temperature marine insulation pads for equipment including thermal oil and main exhaust piping. They also reinforced the galley areas with marine-grade steel fabrication.

“Our insulation products play a vital role onboard vessels, helping to protect them against hazardous fuel leaks and fire, which can prove extremely dangerous at sea,” said Paul Smith, director of IPS. “Due to the importance of these products we carry out rigorous testing to Lloyd’s flammable fluid SOLAS requirements. We install them across a large range of equipment including flanges, valves, expansion joints, heat exchangers, pumps, turbines, tanks and other irregular surfaces. In addition to the safety aspect, high calibre insulation work also helps to drive the operational efficiency of a vessel by reducing heat loss and emissions.”

The contract followed IPS’ successful installation of 250 insulation pads onboard Stena Superfast X.

“IPS takes great pride in the speed, efficiency and flexibility of its service,” said Smith. “This latest deal helps to build on our positive relationship with Stena Line and further showcases the broad range of services we can offer to the UK ferry market. We are keen to communicate that IPS provides a range of complex fabrication and insulation services under one roof. This includes survey, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance.”