

(Posted on 08/01/20)
Hydrex has received the approval to carry out classification certified grade A wet welding. To guarantee the required high standard of these underwater welds, NDT tests were performed by ABS surveyors before the certificate was awarded.
The certificate was given to carry out grade A groove welding underwater. Most companies with a wet welding certificate can only carry out fillet welds and this often only to grade B or C. Cavitation or corrosion damage on rudders, clad welding, rope guard repairs, mewis duct repairs, … can now be done with permanent welding.
With a class B weld an inspection of the weld is required every three months. With class A welding the deadline for an inspection is much longer. This is decided by the attending surveyor on a case by case basis.
Any required inspection will be for the underlying problem causing the damage and not for the welding work. An internal structural problem causing damage will not always be handled after the repair and will need to be followed up. For instance, doubler repairs can never be permanent because the doubler is installed over the damaged plating instead of replacing it (as is the case with insert repairs).
With class A underwater welding only a note is made stating that the affected area needs to be looked at during the next scheduled inspection. This is very important for tankers as a clean class certificate is requested by most charterers.
Even for non-class items like rope guards the certificate is useful because it shows our customers that our diver/welders can carry out high quality underwater welding work. This is very important for offshore units where high quality standards need to be verified before welding operations like doubler repairs can be performed.
Hydrex divers are not suddenly better welders. They always knew how to perform the best underwater welds. Their skills have now been officially recognized.
Magazzini Generali Silos Frigoriferi (MGSF), part of the Klingenberg Group, has ordered a Konecranes... Read more
FuelEU Maritime represents a strategic headache for shipping companies on the same level as its technical... Read more
Technology group Wärtsilä will upgrade the Wärtsilä RT-flex main engines... Read more
German coatings firm Steelpaint GmbH has secured a major order to supply its specialist Stelpant... Read more
In the wake of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee... Read more
Global economic uncertainty and a cooling of the market has seen newbuild orders for dry-bulk vessels... Read more
Alfa Laval has completed the acquisition of UK-based NRG Marine, a leading provider of ultrasonic anti... Read more
In a landmark moment for the global maritime industry, the Maritime Battery Forum (MBF) and the Zero... Read more
Bruks Siwertell Group has announced a leadership transition as Peter Jonsson steps down as CEO after... Read more
ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a Rigid Windsail Type Wind-Assisted Propulsion... Read more