Monitor and maintain Light Structures, the global technology leader for fibre optic monitoring and analysis systems, has won the contract to provide the critically important Load & Fatigue Monitoring Solution for the $2.7billion Ichthys LNG Central Processing Facility (CPF), currently under construction by Samsung Heavy Industries. Light Structures’ solution will help the Ichthys operating partners monitor and maintain the structural integrity of the enormous CPF, forming the cornerstone of key repair and maintenance tasks as it enters its 40-year operational lifecycle. “This is a landmark business win for Light Structures,” says company managing director Inge C. Paulsen. “This Ichthys CPF is the biggest project of its kind anywhere in the world, so the fact that we are now a key supplier is a tangible endorsement of the quality, performance and reliability of our solution.” Light Structures’ Load & Fatigue Monitoring system will utilise an array of sensors, connected by zero-power fibre optic cables, to continually harvest data relating to the loads working on the structure of the CPF – which, at 110m by 110m, is the largest semi-submersible platform ever built. Based on this data, analyses and calculations will be undertaken to monitor fatigue development across crucial structural areas. Light Structures is also experiencing increased interest from the shipping sector where the dramatic accident on the MOL Comfort in June has triggered an enormous demand for similar systems for the large container vessels. Owners of cape size bulkers are now following the same track as they seem to face similar structural challenges on these types of vessels.
Co-operation agreement NAPA, the leading software house supplying solutions for ship design and operation has signed a co-operation agreement with ABB, the leading power and automation technology group. NAPA and ABB will co-operate to offer the NAPA Loading Computer and the electronic NAPA Logbook. The products will be offered under ABB’s Vessel Information and Control (VICO) portfolio, as part of a complete advisory solution devised to optimise ship efficiency.
6 - www.shippingandmarine.co.uk
Plugging the skills gap
Maritime Training and Competence Solutions Ltd (MTCS) has signed an agreement to market courses and deliver training at a new facility for the subsea sector - the Centre for Subsea Technology Awareness, Training and Education or C-STATE as it is known. This facility is the first of its kind and is a unique collaboration between industry and education. C-STATE has been created to address the growing skills gap in the subsea engineering and service sectors, by providing an unrivalled platform for specialist training and education - and is offered to the entire industry. Launched at Darlington College, C-STATE has been developed by Modus Seabed Intervention Ltd in partnership with MTCS, Darlington College, Teesside University, Tees Valley Unlimited and Darlington Borough Council. Trainees will have direct, hands on access to a dedicated 200hp hydraulic remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in a safe and controlled environment, combined with classroom based training for all courses. Industry recognised and accredited training is being delivered by leading specialist, MTCS Ltd, with the first courses already underway.
Strengthening presence Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world’s leading maritime services provider, has strengthened its presence in the Niger Delta with the opening of an office on Bonny Island, Rivers State, Nigeria. The office, which complements the company’s existing presence in Lagos, Brass and close neighbour Port Harcourt, will service ISS contracts with Nigeria LNG (NLNG). The opening of the office on Bonny Island comes as a result of a recent contract win, which will see ISS servicing some of NLNG project vessels. Comments Flemming Jensen, ISS executive vice president, Middle East, India and Africa Operations: “Having entered Nigeria in 2008, the opening on Bonny Island represents a significant further growth of our footprint in the country. It forms an important part of our plan for the country, Africa’s second largest economy, and supports our wider plans for the Sub Saharan Africa region.”