Valve control innovations
for cruise ships and tugs
By: ARI MONONEN
Located in Naantali in southwestern Finland, ACM-
Trading Ltd. has designed and supplied maritime
automation and engineering solutions since 1969.
The company’s latest valve control innovations can
be applied to ship instrumentation, as well as various
types of tug and barge coupling systems.
T
First successful connection of Pusher Tug “CALYPSO” and Ice Breaker
Bow “SAIMAA” on February 29, 2020.
he business idea of ACM-Trading is based on remote-con- ”A pilot project for this system will be tested at Lake Saimaa
trolled valves with electro-hydraulic actuators, manufactured in Finland from March 2020 onwards. The bow assembly is cou-
by Pleiger Marinenbau in Germany.
”These types of valves are utilised for high-grade control sys-
pled to the tug by utilising an electro-hydraulic system, plus con-
nection rods of fortified steel,” Mr. Laiho explains.
tems for modern ships, including all cruise liners currently being ”After installation, the tugboat will be able to keep water-
built by Finnish shipyards,” says Mr. Kari Laiho, CEO for ACM- ways open throughout the winter. Inside the bow assembly, two
Trading Ltd. aggregates will generate power for twin propellers equipped with
Valve control can be applied to modern marine instrumen-
diesel-electric transmission.”
tation, such as measuring of tank contents. Interface units con- Furthermore, ACM-Trading’s range of ATB (Articulated Tug &
sisting of valve control modules can be operated by on-board Barge) coupling systems can be used for various inland, coastal and
computer systems. offshore applications, including mobile barge-based LNG fueling
Another innovation for electro-hydraulic valves is a coupling
stations. n
system for detachable ice-breaking bow assemblies, converting
tugboats into temporary-duty icebreakers.
More information: www.acm-trading.fi
Know-how and competence needed for marine catering
by: ARI MONONEN
photos: KARI PALSILA
Catering systems for cruise ships need to be designed
with special care. Marine catering is subject to strict
international regulations related to health, hygiene,
and fire safety.
S
pecialised in marine catering systems technology, SeaKing ”For instance, the tables, coun-
Ltd. designs and supplies complete catering systems for cruise ters, and galley equipment for cruise
ships.
ship use have to be designed and man-
”Our focus is on functionality, space usage, energy consump- ufactured in a different manner than those used in land-based res-
tion, safety and cost-efficiency in catering operations throughout taurants. There are additional requirements for heavy-duty con-
the entire lifecycle of ship,” notes Mr. Pasi Suvanto, Vice Presi- structions and easy cleanability,” Suvanto recounts.
dent of Sales for SeaKing Group.
”Since most of today’s cruise ships will be calling U.S. ports,
catering systems have to be designed in accordance with the U.S.
Public Health Service (USPHS) regulations.”
Overall, the designs of cruise ship galleys in most cases are
SeaKing’s production facilities are in Poland and the U.S. The
company’s headquarters are in Switzerland.
According to Mr. Suvanto, every cruise ship project is dif-
ferent from any other. Even sister ships often have differences in
their respective catering facilities. n
customised to fit into allotted spaces, and to conform to regional
tastes and current dining trends.
More information: www.seaking.net
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