MechChem Africa May 2018

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

the productsmeet international aswell as SABS quality standards. “We moved swiftly to meet these re- quirements inour advancednewmanufac- turing plant, which is supported by smart technical teams, as well as infrastructure such as laboratories and training facilities. “Withthiskindofinfrastructureinplace wewilleasilymeettherequirementsofthe constructionand retail industries, contrac- tors and professionals who are currently planning large-scale projects and vast infrastructure upgrades,” says Offenberg. “As a family-owned business we will always take a considered and caring ap- proach tomeet customers’ requirements, one where our technical staff evaluate requirementsandmakerecommendations based on their own technical skills and the combined intellectual property of our global group,” he concludes. The company’s product range includes cement and concrete additives, adhesives and a wide range of specialised construc- tion and related chemicals. Both liquid and powder products are manufactured at the Germiston plant and are available in handy retail-orientated packages or in bulk containers for large-scale use. www.mapei.co.za

Mapei South Africa’s new manufacturing facility in Germiston.

Chemical’s manufacturer opens new plant

Construction chemical manufacturer, Mapei South Africa, has unveiled its im- pressive new local manufacturing facility in Germiston. Since entering the market in 2011 the company has earned a sound reputation for technical expertise, which has led to a growing customer-base and a significant slice of market share. Its focus on quality has also paid dividends and moved the manufacturer to become one of the lead- ing local suppliers of construction chemi- cals and adhesives in Southern Africa. Mapei South Africa general manager,

AntonyOffenberg, says the growth of the company is largely a result of its customer- centric approach and quality focus. While growing the business in South Africa we have carefully noted the requirements of the market, as well as individual custom- ers to develop solutions that meet their current and future needs. “For example, we found that top of our customers’ wants, was for high-quality products to be widely available with suf- ficientstockavailabletocompleteprojects anywhere throughout the sub-region. In addition, they needed the assurance that

Underwater stabiliser fin replacement for cruise liner While much of the popularity of holidaying by ship stems from the vessels’ extensive facilities and attentive service, it also relies on hidden technology to give passengers a comfortable journey, even in inclement conditions. Beneath the waterline, most modern cruise vessels are equippedwith hydraulically-controlled stabiliser fins which can be deployed to counteract the effect of rough sea conditions on the motion of the vessel. When not required they are folded away into the hull, minimising drag and enabling ma- noeuvring in ports.

with underwater debris. To avoid further damage, the decision was taken to take the stabiliser out of use until the ship’s next scheduled overhaul. InMarch2017, the vessel entereddry-dock inGermany for a five- day scheduled overhaul and engineers from SKF in Hamburg were dispatched to repair the unit. Inspection revealed that the damage was more serious than anticipated, however. The team calculated that thework requiredwould take at least 150 hours and impossible to complete during the dry-dock time available. SKF and the vessel’s owners decided on a radical course of action: underwater replacement. Two steel platesweremountedover thefin box opening to seal the hull and the vessel was returned to service. Meanwhile SKF transported the stabiliser to Hamburg to complete the necessary repairs. Once the unit had been reassembled and tested, SKF shipped the main body of the stabiliser in a container to a port in the Canary Islands. There, a team from specialist marine engineering company Trident Group prepared the stabiliser for underwater installation. Under perfect conditions the Trident team installed awaterproof dome around the fin box inside the hull, allowing divers to safely remove the steel plates that had previously sealed the opening. The stabiliser fin was then lowered into position next to the hull using a crane and the dive team manoeuvred it into position and mounted it in place. Engineers fromSKF then sailedwith the vessel on its onward jour- ney to the Caribbean. During the first day of that voyage, they were able to complete the installation process, connecting the stabiliser control systems and testing the operation of the unit. www.skf.com

In 2014, scheduled inspection of a cruise vessel revealed damage to the port stabiliser fin, most likely tohave been causedby a collision

A collaboration between SKF and underwater repair specialist Trident Group has completed the first underwater replacement of an SKF S-type retractable fin stabiliser on a floating vessel.

40 ¦ MechChem Africa • May 2018