pää-based company Promeco using ABB ’ s Ekip Link solution .
This project also marked the first time RMC used silicone paint on the hull of the ship , a point of pride for Project Manager Kaijo . The work required unique knowhow and precise timing . The priming had to be carried out so that the first layer could dry in fair weather , with the next layer applied within a certain time frame , and that required a period of solidly dry weather . For this purpose , weather forecasting sites were extensively studied by many people .
“ Silicone painting significantly decreases the use of fuel during operation , thus reducing the operating costs of the ship . Furthermore , silicone paint keeps the bottom of the ship clean of impurities and reduces the need to wash the base . The decrease in fuel consumption has a positive impact on the Spirit of Tasmania ’ s efforts to realise its environmental values .
The challenge with silicone painting is that it is sensitive to mechanical contact . For this reason , the ships can only sail from Rauma to Tasmania in ice-free conditions ,” explains Kaijo .
SPIRIT OF TASMANIA SHIPS ARE FINE EXAMPLES OF THE STRONG SHIPBUILDING EXPERTISE FOUND IN RAUMA
Throughout the construction of the shiny new Spirit of Tasmania IV , the shipyard and its subcontractors worked hard during the heart of the winter when temperatures dropped below – 20 ° C and in the middle of the summer when temperatures reached equal levels on the plus side . At its peak , more than 1,500 people were working on building the ships at the same time . The employment impact of Spirit of Tasmania ships is more than 3,500 person-years .
A significant part of the project is being carried out through co-operation with a network of partners . The COVID- 19 pandemic and the global unrest resulting from the war in Ukraine had an impact on the availability of raw materials and labour as well as causing cost increases , which made the building process particularly challenging . Despite that , approximately 30 shipyard subcontractors and over 300 suppliers operating at the shipyard during the construction phase managed to carry the project forward decisively together with RMC ’ s personnel . According to Mikko Jaskari , Acquisition Manager , the delivery of the first ship was only possible because of the project ’ s competent and adaptable network .
Throughout the project , RMC invested in a completely new way to develop its project expertise and increase its capabilities . The sister ship , Spirit of Tasmania V , will be completed on a faster schedule than the first . The construction of Spirit of Tasmania V began in Decem-
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