Survitec’s new lay-up service

(Posted on 28/08/20)

Survitec has introduced a new service aimed at ensuring CO2 low pressure (LP) firefighting systems are correctly deactivated when ships enter lay-up.

The turn-key CO2 LP lay-up service, developed in collaboration with a leading European-based shipowner, was introduced two-months-ago following market demand for a solution capable of simplifying decommissioning and recommissioning procedures.

Survitec has already seen an upswing in demand for the service following a surge in the number of ships temporarily suspending services and deactivating ships due to the lack of trade

Claude Sada, Chief Operating Officer, Survitec, said: “Due to the pandemic and the on-going economic uncertainty, we are seeing ro-ro vessels, VLCCs, and large bulk carriers and containerships heading for lay-up, with owners looking to ensure their CO2 systems are deactivated correctly and safely.”

A CO2 LP system, typically used in a vessel’s fixed-fire extinguishing arrangement, can only be decommissioned and recommissioned by a specially trained service provider once the Classification Society has granted approval for the system to be deactivated and the tank emptied.

Survitec has Z17 approvals as service suppliers – from various classification societies allowing the company to service maintain a vessel’s multi-branded fire-extinguishing systems, including CO2 LP systems.

Steven Puis, Survitec Training Manager, Technical Support, said that while cold lay-up procedures are similar to the processes carried out during the periodical service or refilling of the CO2 system, there are subtle differences.

“In addition to stringent ventilation, gas detection and personnel safety requirements, cooling compressors need to be prepared prior to tank emptying. Once the compressors are safe, the tank must be emptied through the liquid filling line instead of the gas/vapor return line to avoid a rapid drop in pressure and the CO2 turning into a solid block of ice.

“When the tank has been emptied of its liquid content and pressure is maintained at about 10 bar, it avoids the need for any hydro and pressure testing, internal tank cleaning and purging when the system is reactivated. There is no risk of damage caused by humidity or water accumulating inside the tank.”

Jan-Oskar Lid, Survitec’s Global Technical Sales Manager – Fire, Rescue & Safety, furthered: “The CO2 LP system must be emptied prior to lay-up since the ship’s generators will be shut down and unable to provide any power to shipboard compressors and refrigeration units.

“Based on the Survitec deactivation procedures the tank doesn’t have to be opened, inspected, internally cleaned and purged before refilling and reactivation,” he says.

“The safest and most cost-effective way to carry out this work is to move the vessel by tug to a quayside. However, refilling of the CO2 tank at anchorage is possible with good planning and special arrangements, such as a barge, etc.” he says.

With traditional lay-up spots, such as Scotland and Norway, becoming congested with new destinations emerging, Survitec is providing its customers with a list of locations where service engineers with CO2 LP system capability are available. A minimum of two service engineers can be deployed on a case-by-case basis.

Survitec is currently creating CO2 LP cold lay-up and reactivation procedures for ten vessels in a prominent ro-ro and PCTC fleet.

Latest News

NAVTOR partners with Risk Intelligence to integrate risk into route planning

NAVTOR has announced a breakthrough product launch with Risk Intelligence, helping global users of its... Read more

IRClass Systems and Solutions Pvt Ltd strengthens cybersecurity portfolio

IRClass Systems and Solutions Pvt Ltd (ISSPL), a leading provider of assurance, inspection, certification... Read more

New Telestack TITAN Truck intake system for Irish mining company’s port expansion

Northern Ireland based Telestack have announced that they have been awarded a contract for the supply... Read more

Dualog launches ID provider with single sign-on for crew

Dualog has introduced a major upgrade to its Dualog Mail platform with the launch of Identity Provider... Read more

Greek industrial gateway powers growth with electric Konecranes Gottwald MHC

As part of a plan to double its capacity while controlling emissions, Port of Thisvi operator DIA.VI... Read more

Bulker operator Norse Ship Management deploys Inmarsat NexusWave

Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, together with distribution partner Station Satcom have secured... Read more

Nectar expands SE Asia presence with additional mobile bagging machines

Nectar Group, a leading provider of logistics and cargo handling solutions, is further solidifying its... Read more

US marine descaler Seascour strikes deal to supply historic Great Lakes vessel

Florida headquartered maritime innovator Seascour has struck a second deal to supply its organic marine... Read more

E-Crane introduces faster, safer and smarter bulk pan handling

E-Crane has introduced an innovative tilting device that redefines how bulk materials such as scrap... Read more

Fifth Siwertell road-mobile ship unloader for long-standing Med operator

Bruks Siwertell has delivered a next-generation Siwertell 10 000 S road-mobile ship unloader to a returning... Read more