Versatile SPS expanding into new markets

New SPS applications have been developed to combat piracy, while IE continues to concentrate on its core SPS overlay business to service new and existing clients.

Side shell protection

The offshore sector, in particular, has been very buoyant with SPS overlay now becoming the upgrade method of choice for side shell protection projects against tank rupture from impact loads during offloading and supply vessel berthing operations. Since obtaining ‘approval in principle’ in 2006 from ABS, LR and DNV for compliance with IMO’s ‘guidelines for application of MARPOL Annex I requirements to FPSOs and FSUs’, IE has completed seven such projects, with a further six in the pipeline.

Most recently, Perenco has awarded IE the side shell protection project on the FSO Massongo which is to be stationed offshore Nigeria. The work is being carried out at Singapore’s Keppel shipyard and is the first BV approval for this application.

The system is said to be the equivalent to fitting cofferdams or sponsons but without the void spaces that require regular inspection and maintenance. According to one of IE’s clients, Modec’s conversion/construction manager Andy Lau, “SPS overlay provides the ideal side shell protection for our FPSOs. It is applied quickly, delivers improved impact resistance and reduces our operational costs.”

Citadel access protection

SPS ‘citadel access protection’ is a new application for 2011. It’s specifically designed to protect and harden all doorway entrances to the safe refuge in line with the recommendations of ‘best management practices for protection against Somalia based piracy’. It can be constructed from separate SPS panels which slot into position or using hinged SPS doors. The company claims that the SPS panels are over four times stronger than an equivalent steel plate with superior blast and ballistics performance. Tests demonstrate that SPS is far more resistant to impact loads and that the risk of penetration from projectiles is substantially reduced. Armoured steel designs have also been successfully tested in accordance with the European Ballistic Standard FB6.

SPS citadel access protection has now been fitted on over 20 vessels with another 30 on order for a number of major ship owners including a fleet agreement with a UK based oil major.

P&O Pride of Bruges project

The recent award of the Pride of Bruges project at A&P Tyne Shipyard in Newcastle will be the 22^nd SPS overlay project for P&O since 1999. Together with several other shipowners, P&O continues to choose SPS overlay time and again because it is a much simpler, less disruptive repair than the alternative of cropping out and replacing the existing steel plating. With this method no removals are required and all work can be completed from one side of the installation.