Why Nynas chose PureBallast - Global service and support for newbuildings and retrofits
5/22/2012
2012 is a critical year for the IMO Ballast Water Convention and for Swedish oil products supplier Nynas AB. According to industry sources, it will be the year that the Convention will see ratification. It will also be the year that Nynas will commission chemical-free Alfa Laval PureBallast onboard two newbuildings and Alfa Laval PureBallast 2.0 EX onboard two retrofitted vessels that the company have on bare boat charter.
Eight years after the Convention's adoption, there is a veritable spurt towards ratification. The number of countries that have ratified the Convention now exceeds the 30 required for the Convention to come into force. If speculation proves true, once the MEPC clarifies how to conduct ballast water sampling onboard, a single country representing 8.5% or more of the gross tonnage of the world's commercial fleet may finally make enforcement of international law a reality. When that decisive moment occurs, Nynas AB stands prepared.
"I think the Convention will be ratified quite soon, which means that the international regulations will most likely take effect within the next two years," says Nynas project manager for newbuilding Björn Karlsson, echoing industry thinking. "We at Nynas began preparing for ratification about five years ago when we started investigating options for ballast water treatment onboard the bitumen tankers we charter."
Cost-savings and efficiency through preparedness
Preparedness is the main reason why Nynas decided in 2008 to purchase and install Alfa Laval PureBallast ballast water treatment systems onboard two newbuild tankers. However, the decision to invest in the system will end up saving the company money in the long run.
"Our vessels typically sail in waters too shallow for ballast water exchange," explains Karlsson. "That's why we decided to buy ballast water treatment systems onboard two newbuild tankers. The vessels we charter have a ballast water capacity of less than 5,000 cubic meters, so we didn't have to comply immediately. But by doing so, we avoid the costs associated with retrofitting the vessels later."
Selecting a ballast water treatment system that meets Nynas' criteria for health, safety, security and the environment was also important. The company has a comprehensive policy in place and employs certified management systems to ensure minimal impact of its products and operations on the people's health and the environment.
"We assessed the other IMO-approved ballast water treatment systems available at that time," says Karlsson. "Nynas chose PureBallast because we believe that it was the best system available. Treating ballast water with a chemical-free system is better for the environment than the other systems. Plus PureBallast came with Alfa Laval engineering support, equipment quality, and spare parts and service availability in our trading area."
Innovative engineering and support for newbuildings
As one of the first companies to install ballast water treatment systems onboard tankers, Nynas is blazing the trail for other tanker ship owners and operators. Trailblazing is never easy, but Karlsson notes it has been made much easier with the support and service of a reliable partner.
"Nynas has a solid long-term business relationship with Alfa Laval that spans more than three decades," Karlsson confides. "We appreciate the engineering expertise and support that Alfa Laval brings to the table. The two PureBallast 500 systems we ordered in 2008 for the Ardea and Mergus, for instance, were not Ex-approved because such systems did not exist at that time. But together with Alfa Laval, we developed a solution for our vessels."
Alfa Laval adapted PureBallast to Nynas' requirements for operation in a hazardous tanker environment with cargo at temperatures ranging from 160ºC up to 250ºC. Rather than installing the PureBallast system below deck as on vessels carrying cargo that is not potentially explosive, Nynas and Alfa Laval decided to build a pressurised structure on the ship's deck. A double-door construction serves as an airlock and an over-pressurised ventilation system creates a gas-free zone to ensure safe operation. This enabled system certification by Bureau Veritas.
Support beyond design
Alfa Laval support and service, however, didn't stop after the design and certification of the system but continued strong throughout installation. In fact, says Karlsson, Alfa Laval was instrumental in allaying shipyard concerns about installation.
"The Wuhan Nanhua Huanggang Jiangbei Shipyard, which built the Ardea and Mergus, is a relatively small yard with no prior experience in working with PureBallast," recounts Karlsson. "Alfa Laval arranged a trip to the Mawei shipyard where PureBallast was being installed on another vessel so our shipyard workers could see firsthand just how compact and easy to install PureBallast is."
"The old adage, "Seeing is believing," held true in our case," says Karlsson. "The interaction between the shipyard crews was priceless. It provided our Wuhan Nanhua workers with full transparency of the installation requirements for the PureBallast system. Alfa Laval went the extra mile for us, which really helped us a lot."
Another advantage: Alfa Laval Shanghai provided a natural link to PureBallast experts in Sweden in addition to quick access to local support in China. This gives Nynas as well as other western shipowners close contact with experts at the Alfa Laval head office in Tumba, Sweden, while the shipyard in China has the same direct contact with Alfa Laval Shanghai. In other words, both parties have close contact with their respective compatriots, which eases collaboration. According to Karlsson, Alfa Laval's glocal presence and broad competence gives it a competitive advantage over other ballast water treatment manufacturers who only have local agents nearby.
At the end of February 2012, Alfa Laval Shanghai commissioned the systems onboard the Ardea and Mergus. Karlsson expects that service and support in most major ports will be just as easy and convenient as the service and support Nynas received so far.
Turnkey retrofit with PureBallast 2.0 EX
Once Nynas cast its vote of confidence for the Alfa Laval PureBallast system for the newbuildings it charters, the company saw no reason to change course to retrofit older vessels. In July 2011, upon recommendations from Nynas, shipowner Frederiet placed an order for two PureBallast 500 EX, generation 2.0, the second generation of the chemical-free PureBallast systems, for its Alcedo and Pandion bitumen tankers.
Rather take on the challenge of managing these projects, Nynas placed the job of retrofitting the vessels in the capable hands of Alfa Laval subcontractor Marine Environmental Solutions AB (MESAB) for design, class approval, project management, integration to onboard systems, installation and commissioning services.
"The advantages of having a turnkey partner are obvious," says Karlsson. "It was only natural that we place our trust in Alfa Laval and MESAB, the people who know the system best."
Karlsson appreciates having a turnkey ballast water treatment retrofit partner. MESAB dealt directly with the shipyard Falkvarv AB, where the ships docked for routine service. The entire retrofit process, from pre-survey and engineering survey to installation and commissioning services, took approximately three weeks from start to finish.
To determine the placement of equipment, MESAB conducted a pre-survey, which resulted in a detailed written report and 3D drawing of the system layout. In contrast, the engineering survey produced a set of drawings that enabled pre-manufacturing of all major piping in order to minimize vessel downtime. Installation, startup and commissioning services ensured proper function of the system.
When asked to comment on the cooperation with turnkey retrofit partner MESAB, Karlsson smiles and says, "Accountability speaks volumes."
Retrofits benefit from reduced power consumption
Back in 2008 when the PureBallast systems were ordered for the newbuildings, Nynas asked Alfa Laval to develop an Ex version. The result does not disappoint. PureBallast 2.0 EX comes with additional safety modifications for Zone I, group IIC and temperature class T4, making it suitable for installation aboard most vessels that carry ignition-sensitive cargo. It also features the 40% power savings and operating advantages, such as automatic flow control.
"The reduced power consumption of the PureBallast 2.0 makes it easier for shipyards to work with the designed power on board," says Karlsson. "This is especially true for our bitumen tankers where available power is at a premium."
The thoughtful, modular design of PureBallast 2.0 EX enabled the reuse of existing ship ballast water equipment and pipe work, which is another big advantage for shipowners.
Working with a single-source supplier
When asked about the best way to handle onboard systems, Karlsson has three words: reliability, compatibility and convenience.
"That is the way we like to work with our onboard systems. At Nynas, we strive to have as few suppliers as possible. It is better to have a larger scope of supply from one partner and then let them take complete responsibility for the reliable operation of the equipment or system," comments Karlsson. "Reputation and reliability matter a great deal to us. We're not just buying equipment, we're investing in a partnership and the know-how, expertise, resources and support that comes with it."
So it may come as no surprise that other Alfa Laval equipment, such as purifiers, fuel oil booster unit and fresh water generator, can be found onboard the vessels that Nynas charters.
What's ahead
For the time being, Karlsson does not anticipate the placement of new orders for PureBallast 2.0 EX system or other Alfa Laval equipment. He plans, however, to keep a watchful eye on the four systems currently in operation. The lessons learned from installing and operating these systems put Nynas that critical step ahead and ultimately make them better prepared for 2016.
The Federal's pistol slid into its holster and his sabre flashed out. He threw its curved point up in a splendid salute. Ferry saluted with his straight blade. Then both swords rang back into their scabbards, and Jewett whirled away toward his column. For a moment we lingered, then faced to the left, trotted, galloped. Over the fence and into the road went he--went I. Down it, as we crossed, the blue column was just moving again. Then the woods on the south swallowed us up. "All right, sir." that before. Meanwhile the parallelism between Thought and Extension was not exhausted by the identification just analysed. Extension was not only a series of movements; it still remained an expression for co-existence and adjacency.412 Spinoza, therefore, felt himself obliged to supply Thought with a correspondingly continuous quality. It is here that his chief originality lies, here that he has been most closely followed by the philosophy of our own time. Mind, he declares, is an attribute everywhere accompanying matter, co-extensive and co-infinite with space. Our own animation is the sum or the resultant of an animation clinging to every particle that enters into the composition of our bodies. When our thoughts are affected by an external impulse, to suppose that this impulse proceeds from anything material is a delusion; it is produced by the mind belonging to the body which acts on our body; although in what sense this process is to be understood remains a mystery. Spinoza has clearly explained the doctrine of animal automatism, and shown it to be perfectly conceivable;569 but he has entirely omitted to explain how the parallel influence of one thought (or feeling) on another is to be understood; for although this too is spoken of as a causal relation, it seems to be quite different from the logical concatenation described as the infinite intellect of God; and to suppose that idea follows from idea like movement from movement would amount to a complete materialisation of mind; while our philosopher would certainly have repudiated Mr. Shadworth Hodgson’s theory, that states of consciousness are only connected through their extended substratum, as the segments of a mosaic picture are held together by the underlying surface of masonry. Nor can we admit that Spinoza entertained the theory, now so popular, according to which extension and consciousness are merely different aspects of a single reality. For this would imply that the substance which they manifest had an existence of its own apart from its attributes; whereas Spinoza makes it consist of the attributes, that is to say, identifies it with their totality. We are forced, then, to conclude that the proposition declaring thought and extension to be the same thing570 has no413 other meaning than that they are connected by the double analogy which we have endeavoured to explain. “Oh, he’s welcome to it,” Sandy cried. “I’ve turned over a new leaf!” “But—are they?” He pulled a wire out a trifle from the sheath. The sergeant spent more time upon the oaths with which he embellished the counter-question as to how he should know anything about it, than would have been consumed in a civil explanation. "Doctor, he can't die. He mustn't die," said Shorty in agony. "The regiment can't spare him. He's the best soldier in it, and he's my pardner." AND ENTERS UPON HIS PARENTAL RELATIONS TO LITTLE PETE SKIDMORE. "Holy smoke, look there," gasped Monty Scruggs, as a company of rebel cavalry came tearing over the hill in front, to the assistance of their comrades. "That's about it," answered Shorty disdainfully. "That's the way with all cavalry, dad-burn 'em. They're like a passel o' fice pups. They're all yelp and bark, and howl and showin' o' teeth. They're jest goin' to tear you to pieces. But when you pick up a stone or a club, or git ready to give 'em a good kick they're gone, the devil knows where. They're only an aggravation. You never kin do nothin' with 'em, and they kin do nothin' with you. I never kin understand why God Almighty wasted his time in makin' cavalry of any kind, Yank or rebel. All our own cavalry's good for is to steal whisky and chickens from honest soldiers of the infantry. The infantry's the only thing. It's like the big dog that comes up without any special remarks, and sets his teeth in the other dog. The thing only ends when one dog or the other is badly whipped and somethin's bin accomplished." "Mmm." Reuben started out of the half-waking state into which he had fallen. It was late in the afternoon, the sunlight had gone, and a wintry twilight crept up the wall. Maude the dairy-woman was looking in at the door. It was about a month subsequent to this, that one morning, as Turner was making the anvil ring with the ponderous strokes of his hammer, two retainers from the castle entered the shed, and delivered an order from De Boteler for his immediate attendance. Wat laid the hammer on the anvil, and, passing the back of his right hand across his forehead, to clear away the large drops that stood there, looked with a kind of smile at the men as he said, HoME泷泽萝拉四部和集下载
ENTER NUMBET 0016www.llkdkj.com.cn www.lnfdsl.org.cn www.guasheng.net.cn www.top0713.com.cn www.plxmn.com.cn www.ruuyue.net.cn www.tsfhc.org.cn qxkpoo.com.cn www.uwit.com.cn ubdex.com.cn
