Alfa Laval – a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling –has signed two frame agreements, running over the coming three years, for ballast water treatment systems. The agreements comprise firm orders to deliver Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 to about 40 vessels, with options covering another 40 systems.

Even as the shipping industry has been heavily hit by the current pandemic, Alfa Laval has continued working closely with its marine customers to secure their daily operations and keep them prepared for tomorrow.

“We are proud to have secured these orders – especially in these challenging times,” says Sameer Kalra, President of the Marine Division and continues; “This confirms PureBallast 3’s status as a market-leading solution, while also proving that our focus on business continuity has been successful. We have worked hard to ensure that we remain close to our customers and can support them when they need us, despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic.”

The value of the firm orders is approximately SEK 100 million, including Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 systems and in some cases, also deck houses and booster pump units. The orders will be booked in the Marine Separation & Heat Transfer unit.

Port Tampa Bay received a $19.8 million grant as part of the US Department of Transportation’s INFRA Grant program. This program recognizes innovative projects that improve our nation’s infrastructure in the critical areas where transportation networks intersect.

Port Tampa Bay will use the grant money to complete the Berth 214 project, which is the definition of an ideal intermodal project due to its ability to connect cargo that arrived by ship to road or rail. Port Tampa Bay will use the grant to expand its container complex. With this INFRA grant, the port will meet existing market demand by expediting construction of a new, 1,300-foot-long berth and a 30-acre container yard. Florida importers and exporters, manufacturers and other producers will benefit, and there are considerable emissions reductions, improved safety measures and other economic benefits.

“This grant, combined with Port Tampa Bay and Florida’s investment, will provide long term-term benefits for the logistics supply chain as Florida’s population growth continues to grow. I want to thank Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao for awarding our port the INFRA grant so that we can continue to expand service to our community and region,” explained Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO.

This project is Port Tampa Bay’s top priority and is a project of regional and national significance. In addition to the INFRA grant, the project will be completed with funding from the state, federal government, and the port.

Port Tampa Bay has seen unprecedented expansion in our containerized cargo business lines recently, and this project will complement that growth. These funds will be used to expand our container capacity by 60 percent, increase the number of deep draft container vessels the port can receive, improve efficiency with a state-of-the-art truck gate, and improve rail access. As we celebrate 75 years of consistent growth and success at Port Tampa Bay, projects like this will continue to provide generational impacts for our region.

The technology group Wärtsilä’s ability to design and deliver a fully integrated main propulsion system with outstanding fuel economy, and to provide full lifecycle support, were given as key considerations in the award of an important new order. The Wärtsilä solutions will be installed on a new 8200 dwt multi-purpose cargo vessel being built for Mauritius Shipping Corporation Ltd at the Huanghai Shipyard in China. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in April 2020.

Reliability was also cited as being a major factor, since the vessel will provide essential transportation of goods and passengers between the Republic of Mauritius and the islands of Reunion, Agalega, and Rodriquez. Any disruption in the service and supplies to these islands can have serious consequences as they depend solely on MSCL for them. The new ship will replace an existing vessel sailing this route.

“The customer has made clear that the emphasis must be on optimal efficiency, integration, support, and reliability, all of which are areas where Wärtsilä excels. We have worked closely with MSCL to ensure that our solutions are tailored to their precise requirements,” says Glenn Mattas, Regional Sales Director, Wärtsilä Marine.

“We have operated with Wärtsilä main engines since 2001 and have experienced no major breakdowns or disruption to our normal and essential operations during all these years. We are, therefore, very satisfied and in our experience the engines have been extremely reliable, allowing us to enhance our business performance,” says Rishi Ronoowah, CEO, MSCL.

The full scope of the integrated supply includes a Wärtsilä 32 main engine, a reduction gear, a controlled-pitch propeller, the Wärtsilä ProTouch remote control system, a transverse thruster, and three Wärtsilä 20 auxiliary engines. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard in spring 2021, and the ship is expected to commence commercial operations in 2022.