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
Inmarsat and Maritime London establish SEA-CARE working group
(Posted on 10/01/25)Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, supported by Maritime London, have established SEA-CARE as a new... Read more
Chowgule partners with LR to develop first-ever ESG report and strategy
(Posted on 07/01/25)Chowgule & Co., a leading shipbuilding and engineering conglomerate in India, is partnering with... Read more
Martin Engineering opens new business unit in Kazakhstan
(Posted on 17/12/24)A world leader in bulk handling solutions, Martin Engineering, has announced fresh expansion in Central... Read more
Zelim appoints USCG SAR expert for North American expansion
(Posted on 17/12/24)Edinburgh-headquartered maritime safety innovator Zelim has appointed a former Commander of the United... Read more
Telestack secures prestigious Mibau Stema aggregates handling contract
(Posted on 11/12/24)Telestack has announced a significant new contract with Mibau Stema, secured in collaboration with long... Read more
Deployment of Starlink/VSAT Hybrid connectivity on 58 Vroon vessels completed
(Posted on 11/12/24)KVH Industries, Inc. has announced that, together with international shipping leader Vroon, they have... Read more
Damen advances sustainable dockings with shore power from Elma Systems
(Posted on 04/12/24)Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf is giving a green boost to ship repair, maintenance, conversion and refit... Read more
Superior’s TeleStacker Conveyor automation gets major upgrade
(Posted on 29/11/24)Superior Industries, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and... Read more
Superior opens new manufacturing facility in Minnesota
(Posted on 20/11/24)Superior Industries, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and global supplier of bulk material processing and... Read more
Low-friction coatings set to improve RightShip GHG rating
(Posted on 20/11/24)RightShips’ EVDI methodology is familiar to most drybulk ship owners, with chartering customers... Read more
