Efficient Connection of Tugs to VesselsSteven Wardenier

Commercial DirectorLankhorst Ropes

Tugnology ‘11

Efficient Connection of Tugs to Vessels

• Lankhorst Ropes – Maritime and Offshore Ropes

• Tug Trends

• Towing Connections

• Rope Handling

• Rope Developments

• New Splicing Concept

MARITIME & OFFSHORE DIVISIONManaging Director: Mr Wilco Stroet

Lankhorst Ropes

Manufacturer/supplier of high performance rope, steelwire ropeand related hardware for the maritime and offshore market.

Tug Boat Trends

• Higher Tug Bollard Pull up from 50 to 90 tonnes

• With a Safety factor 2.5 : BP up 10 tonnes => MBF up 25 tonnes

• Less crew on board

Towing Connection

• Time pressured – vessel and tug crews

•Towing line tailored to ensure optimum life and performance

•Ease of rope handling critical

Rope Handling

• Polyester and high performance yarns (HMPE)

• Strength / weight ratio

• Lighter, easier to handle, longer service life

Towing Line Optimisation

• Tug Bollard Pull 70 tonnes with SF 2.5 = MBF 175 tonnes

•Tug Bollard Pull 90 tonnes with SF 2,5 = MBF 225 tonnes.

Rope Handling Challenge

• Ropes made of high performance yarns offer stronger and lighter features.

• Rope endings are still bulky and heavy.

Traditional Splice

• The concept of splicing has not changed for over two centuries.

• Traditional rope splice:

•Doubles the rope at splice area, in diameter and in weight.

• In high performance ropes it usually produces a long splice area.

New Splicing Concept

The splice and the eye are integrated.

The rope is not doubled in the spliced area.

Some similarity to steel wire rope.

New Splicing Concept

3.6 meter splice Ø 80 mm rope

In the field:

687 jobs

Storage on drum:

100% Efficiency

Traditional rope splices result in <10% loss ofstrength.

Efficient Connection of Tugs to Vessels

• The new splice = polyester parallel laid ropes.

• The new splice concept is workable on other constructions and types of yarns.

• Technology will come available on all rope types.

Inventor

Efficient Connection of Tugs to Vessels

Any Questions?

Steven Wardenier, Lankhorst Ropes

Tel: +31 (0) 78 611 7700

Email: sw@lankhorstropes.com