Three is the magic number for Hydroniq
A shipping industry supplier is celebrating after securing an order for equipment for three wellboats.
Hydroniq Coolers, based near Ålesund, Norway has been awarded contracts for marine cooling systems for the vessels being built by Aas Mek. Verksted for the world’s biggest wellboat company, Sølvtrans.
“We have supplied our seawater cooling system to many wellboats in recent years, but to be awarded three at the same time is rather unusual. This is undoubtedly a large and important delivery for us,” said Hydroniq sales manager Jan Inge Johannesen.
Hull-integrated system
Hydroniq Coolers will supply its hull-integrated “Rack” seawater cooling system which is integrated in the hull below the main engine room. It reduces temperatures in the ship’s engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater, but without taking up valuable engine room space.
The three new wellboats are newbuilds number 208, 209 and 210 from Aas Mek. Verksted. Previously, Aas Mek. Verksted has contracted Hydroniq Coolers to deliver the same type of marine cooling system to newbuilds 204, 205, 206 and 207.
For the three newbuild wellboats, Aas Mek. Verksted, Sølvtrans and Hydroniq Coolers have together composed a new Rack unit which they hope will further increase the system’s operational flexibility.
Inspiring cooperation
In the past, the companies have utilised two cooling systems within each Rack unit, but these vessels will use three cooling systems within each unit. This eliminates the need for an external plate heat exchanger that is connected to the cooling unit.
“It is inspiring to cooperate with yards and shipowners that are always looking to identify smarter and more cost-efficient solutions. Aas Mek. Verksted and Sølvtrans are definitely in this category,” said Johannesen in a press release.
The three sister wellboats are of the yard’s own design, type AAS 3002 ST. Each vessel has a load capacity of 3,000 cubic metres across two wells. They are 76.96 metres long and 17.80 metres wide. The three newbuilds will be delivered to Sølvtrans during 2022.
