New-generation marine switchboard systems
The Elsys systems are designed in modular format with new-generation switch-gear components to reduce size and weight. The company says that the modular design allows flexibility to satisfy performance requirements and meet space limitations.
Elcome says it can supply a full turnkey electrical package for ships using its own manufacturing, incorporating proven components from major international electrical suppliers, including distribution boxes, battery chargers, rectifiers, transformers and integrated automation systems. Target market segments for the new products include bulk and container carriers, multi-purpose vessels, AHTS vessels, tugs, OSVs, and DP1/DP2 diving, pipe-laying and cable-laying vessels. The company adds that it deals with both the newbuild and retrofit markets.
Executive director Jimmy Grewal points out: “We build a compact, lightweight, state-of-the-art product line meeting the most stringent standards at an attractive price, backed by our international shipboard service organization and technical support team.”
Elcome International is headquartered in a modern facility in Dubai, with offices in United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, as well as a subsidiary and associated companies in India. The Elcome Group has over 500 employees across the Middle East and India, including over 100 factory-trained engineers and technicians. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified by DNV. Elcome is an authorised sales and service representative for many major manufacturers, as well as producing its own type-approved marine electrical switchboards under the Elsys brand name. The company provides shipboard installation and services over 600 vessels per month in the Arabian Gulf alone. Elcome is also a supplier of nautical charts and publications, both print and digital, and operates a modern training centre and bridge simulator under a joint venture with Maersk Training.
“With the new IMO carriage requirements starting to come into effect, ECDIS is one of the hottest industry topics this year,” said Mr Grewal. “We are a leading supplier of turnkey ECDIS solutions to meet the SOLAS regulations, including hardware, software, installation, integration, certification, maintenance and repairs. Our training center offers generic and type-specific ECDIS training courses to meet the international, flag state and port state control requirements.”
One recent contract for Elcome is for the supply of a complete electrical, electronics and ship control package for a cable-handling ship conversion project in the Middle East. The contract was awarded to Elcome by a shipyard in UAE, which is converting a 140m ro-ro vessel into a 125m cable laying vessel for a leading submarine cable installation, maintenance and repair organisation. Elcome is supplying the ship’s main and emergency switchboards, power distribution and management systems, integrated bridge system, DP system, internal and external communications, integrated automation system to UMS class notation, hydrographic reference systems, cable laying, security and safety systems, external and internal lighting, loading management software, tank gauging, draft measurement system, LAN and wi-fi networking. “This project is a good example of the range of technical services and capabilities Elcome can provide for a complex ship conversion project,” said Mr Grewal. “We will work closely with the shipyard and owner to support all aspects of design, documentation, installation, system integration, testing, commissioning and sea trial acceptance.”
The vessel will be equipped to perform cable laying, repair and recovery of all types of underwater telecommunication cables including repeaters up to 400mm and power cables up to 200mm in diameter. The RINA‐classed vessel will operate in deep and shallow waters under weather conditions up to Beaufort 7.
