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Roxtec Secures Order for Britain’s $265m Polar Ship
International manufacturer Roxtec is helping protect
Britain's new £200m ($265m) polar research vessel - RRS Sir David
Attenborough - after supplying a range of specialist safety
seals.
The new build ship is being funded by the Natural Environment
Research Council (NERC) built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead and
run by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
It will operate in extreme conditions in both Antarctica and the
Arctic, enduring up to 60 days in sea-ice for scientists to
gather data on the climate and oceans.
Roxtec UK Managing Director Clive Sharp said specialist seals
will be installed in key areas including the engine room, power
generators and external lighting. They will provide protection
from multiple hazards such as fire, water, gas, vibrations,
electro-magnetic disturbances and explosion.
"Roxtec was introduced to this ground-breaking project by
Norwegian electrical contractor Vard," he said. "We have since
supplied a number of transits and continue to deliver cable and
pipe seal add-ons. Roxtec's sealing solutions are widely regarded
as the best in the world offering a series of benefits including
durability, flexibility and simplicity. They are not only quick
to install, they are openable and adaptable to cables and pipes
of varied sizes, and come with built-in spare capacity for future
upgrades. In addition, our products reduce overall weight,
helping operators use less fuel and reduce ships emissions."
Mr Sharp said the Roxtec Transit Designer software is also
helping engineers save time and money.
"This software has been developed by Roxtec and is free for
engineering companies to use," he said. "It has been used to
great effect on the RRS Sir David Attenborough project allowing
engineers to improve the entire design, purchase and installation
process for cable and pipe transits. Cable routing can be complex
and subject to constant change, but this technology makes the
process straight forward. Engineers just enter their cable
schedule, sealing requirements, installation preferences and
preliminary opening sizes. The software then generates
manufacturer-approved drawings and helpful documents such as
material lists and installation instructions. This simplifies
product selection, drives efficiency and reduces project risks."
Roxtec's Marine & Offshore division is responsible for around
a quarter of the firm's UK turnover and has recently invested in
additional manpower to target shipyards and engineering companies
across England and Wales. The firm is currently targeting
projects with carriers and cargo ships, cruise liners and
ferries, offshore support vessels and superyachts. It is further
eyeing the UK defense and naval sector in line with the National
Shipbuilding Strategy.
"Our safety seals can be used across many applications in the
maritime environment," said Mr Sharp. "The main areas include
cabinets and enclosures, engine rooms, lighting and communication
applications, fire sprinkler systems, hydraulic and compressed
air systems, power generators, motors and thrusters along with
power supply substations."
The global firm has 25 subsidiaries and is active in more than 80
markets worldwide.
Jul 10, 2018
