The largest order concerns New Times Shipbuilding who contracted underwater protection systems for 10 x 33,000 dwt chemical tankers being built for Jo Tankers of Norway.
Each vessel will be fitted with Cathelco’s Quantum impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) system to protect hulls against corrosion. The aft-only systems consist of hull-mounted anodes and reference electrodes connected to a thyristor control panel.
“One of the advantages of the Quantum system is that the control panel stores comprehensive information about the performance of the system,” said Adam Rogers, Cathelco sales manager. “This can be downloaded to a USB stick and emailed to Cathelco for analysis, avoiding the need for completing and returning paper log sheets.”
Installation of the ICCP system will be made easier by the use of C-Max anodes, which are lighter and more compact than conventional anodes and provide a relatively large current output from a small surface area, the company said. They are designed to be replaceable by divers, without the need for drydocking.
The tankers will also be fitted with Cathelco seawater pipework anti-fouling systems to protect engine cooling lines and auxiliary equipment against blockages caused by barnacles and mussels.