IHC Merwede’s innovative Spudguard prevents the spud from breaking during dredging operations in waves. The award was presented last night at the Maritime Awards Gala 2011.
The Spudguard warns the operator, when the pressure on the spud becomes high. When it becomes too high, the Spudguard automatically intervenes. This results in less downtime. The Spudguard also does not require more space onboard than a normal spud system, therefore it can easily be applied to existing ships as well.
Nominated: NewThex with the NEXT-Closing System
NewThex NED has innovated the function and makings of maritime doors and hatches. The result is the NEXT-closing system, a simple solution with a lot of application possibilities combined with a minimal amount of components. NEXT is also an extra safeguard against pirates and has acquired type approval from Lloyd’s Register. NEXT has also been patented.
Nominated: Ulstein Sea of Solutions: SOC 5000
Ulstein Sea of Solutions created a mono-hull ship design with a heavy lift capacity of 5000 mt, short mobilisation times, a lot of deck space, DP, and flexibility to upgrade the ship for other deepsea installation work. Most unique, however is that a new technical concept was combined with a business plan, thereby creating a new market.
Maritime Awards Gala 2011
The Maritime Awards Gala 2011 took place on 3 November at Studio 21 in Hilversum. The event was attended by representatives from all over maritime industry. Apart from the HME Maritime Innovation Award, four other awards were presented: the VNSI Timmersprijs, the KVNR Shipping Award, the HISWA Excellence Award and the KNVTS Ship of the Year Award.
Last year’s VNSI Timmersprijs winner Albert de Krijger could now take the HME Maritime Innovation Award home for IHC’s Spudguard. From left to right: Anita Witzier, Albert de Krijger and Thecla Bodewes
