New coating process at Blohm+Voss

The future of dry docks

Faster, more cost-effective, safer: Blohm+Voss is, exclusively, the first Euro-pean shipyard to launch a state-of-the-art technology for the coating of hulls developed by Hubert Palfinger Technologies (HPT). The new, cost-saving process, the Hull Treatment Carrier (HTC), sets new standards in quality and efficiency and makes a sustainable contribution to environmental and occupational safety. HTC is now available to Blohm+Voss customers for all repair and refit projects.

Removal with high-pressure water up to 3,000 bar, automated application up to 1,200 m. per hour per HTC, up to 30 percent less coating needed – Blohm+Voss, in cooperation with Palfinger, is setting the stage for new standards in the refit and repair sector by introducing to the market a new HTC system for surface treatment and colour application.

»Our cooperation with Palfinger is an important building block in order to consistently optimise our core areas of business after becoming part of the Luerssen Group towards the end of last year. We want to offer our customers innovative and cost-efficient solutions,« explains Dieter Dehlke, CEO of Blohm+Voss. »We are pleased to have Blohm+Voss as partner at our side. With them on-board we can introduce our new process in the most suitable environment,« adds Hubert Palfinger.

Compared to common manual application techniques, with the HTC, due to the automatic surface preparation and coating, an exact and uniform colour composition can be achieved. This results in reduced consumption of the colour coating as well as a smoother application of the antifouling (AHR) providing a less rough surface, which ultimately leads to fuel savings when the ship is in operation.

In addition to the quality advantages with regard to the ship coating, further advantages are the de-creased impact on the environment, such as a significant reduction in VOC emissions, and increased occupational safety. The same applies to the subsequent ship operation, for example, carbon dioxide, sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions are lower.

The collaboration between the shipyard and the manufacturer for automated access and maintenance systems already began in May 2016 with the first successful test runs, which included a 4,045 TEU container ship from the Hapag-Lloyd shipping company. »Whilst the container vessel Quebec Express was docked at Blohm+Voss, the coating was fully removed, partially using the HTC system, and further maintenance work was conducted. This has led to a 7% reduction of the speed-loss of the vessel«, said Lutz Dyck, Fleet Director of the Hamburg shipping company.

During the current market launch phase, which runs until 31 December 2017, Blohm+Voss and Palfinger will be offering special conditions for customers interested in the HTC system.

About Hubert Palfinger Technologies

As an internationally active company in the special segment of unique machine construction, Hubert Palfinger Technologies (HPT) actively supports the sustaina-ble future of the shipping and offshore industry. HPT's product portfolio includes the development, manufacture and distribution of automated access and maintenance systems.

www.hpalfingertech.com

About Blohm+Voss

Blohm+Voss, founded in 1877 in the heart of the port of Hamburg, has been part of the Luerssen Group since 2016 and specialises in the processing of complex new build, repair and refit projects of various ship classes. Blohm+Voss has a strong customer focus, providing services on time and engaging in sustainable and innovative technologies while consistently delivering the highest quality standards.

www.blohmvoss.com

More information about the procedure can be found here:

www.hpalfingertech.com/automated-hull-treatment

On Friday, the German Fair Trade Commission has approved the acquisition of Blohm+Voss GmbH by Luerssen Maritime Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG. With the acquisition of the Hamburg shipyard, the Bremen-based, family-owned company intends to strengthen, in particular, the service offerings for repair and refit of yachts, naval and commercial ships as well as enhancing its naval new build activities within their corporation. In the coming weeks, the first steps towards intensifying the cooperation will be initiated.

»With the decision from the German Fair Trade Commission, we are a major step closer to achieving our goal and we are now able to face future challenges of the difficult market environment together with Blohm+Voss«, says Peter Luerssen, Managing Partner of Luerssen Maritime Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG. »We now have the opportunity to gain a comprehensive insight into the existing shipyard structures and to instigate primary steps for our future cooperation. In doing so, we will determine how to use the individual capabilities of the shipyard, secure the balance between all of our sites in the future and together, navigate through the difficult market situation we find ourselves in today.«

During the approval process, the new owner has not been able to see or review detailed information on the internal organizational structures and processes within Blohm+Voss.

»Over the coming weeks we will concentrate on exchanging information with our new employees on site in Hamburg in order to get a concrete picture on the ground, and on this basis, step by step, we will develop and implement the initial processes to connect the Hamburg shipyard to our group«, explains Dr. Klaus Borgschulte, Technical Director at Luerssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG.

Following the official approval from the German Fair Trade Commission, the formal ownership transfer from the previous owner (the Funds of the British private equity investor Star Capital Partners) will take place. The purchase agreement was signed at the end of September this year.

»With the acquisition of Blohm+Voss we are taking over a shipyard with a strategically advantageous location and versatile production facilities. We want to use these facilities to complement our existing refit and repair activities and also to offer our customers an ever better service«, explains Peter Luerssen. »In addition, we would like to utilise the competence and experience of the shipyard and its employees for the new build of complex naval ships and continue their production at the Hamburg site. The construction of yachts at the Hamburg yard will depend on the overall market situation and it is difficult to judge at this time.«

Founded in 1875, the family-owned, German company Luerssen, based in Bremen-Vegesack, specialises in the design and manufacture of yachts over 60 metres in length and naval and coastguard ships. The private yacht and military ship new build business is supported by extensive service offerings in after sales, including refit, repair, maintenance and global logistics services. With the acquisition, the Luerssen Group will now combine six highly specialised shipyards with around 2,800 employees in Northern Germany.

Family owned and Bremen based shipyard, Luerssen and Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg are embarking on a new future together. With the acquisition of Blohm+Voss, Luerssen is entering into a long term relationship to strengthen their portfolio in the repair and refit activities for yachts, naval and commercial ships as well as enhancing its naval new build activities within their corporation. The contract between Luerssen and the funds of British private equity investor, Star Capital Partners has been signed and the agreement is currently subject to approval from the German Fair Trade Commission (Bundeskartellamt).

»With the acquisition of Blohm+Voss we are taking over a shipyard with a strategically advantageous location and versatile production facilities. We want to use these facilities to complement our existing refit and repair activities and also to offer our customers an ever better service« explains Peter Luerssen, Managing Partner at Luerssen Maritime Beteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG.  »In addition, we would like to utilise the competence and experience of the shipyard and its employees for the new build of complex naval ships and continue their production at the Hamburg site. The construction of yachts at the Hamburg yard will depend on the overall market situation and it is difficult to judge at this time.«

Pending approval from the German Fair Trade Commission, Luerssen will combine six highly specialised shipyards with approximately 2800 employees in Northern Germany.
The parties have both agreed that the purchase price will be kept confidential. The Star Capital funds acquired Blohm+Voss in December 2011 from ThyssenKrupp.

Peter Luerssen emphasises: »After the trade commission’s approval, our primary efforts will be guided towards talking with the employees of Blohm+Voss. We will discuss the necessary steps to efficiently adopt the individual capabilities of the shipyard into our group and secure the balance between our shipyards in the future and together, navigate through the difficult market situation we find ourselves in today.«

Before contacting the Blohm+Voss employees it has been agreed that the current owner will discuss the change of ownership with the shipyard committees.

With the acquisition of Blohm+Voss, Luerssen is welcoming a new partner into their group with whom there is a long history of successful cooperation. »Based on the long-term and trusted cooperation on all levels between the two shipyards - we are currently working together on the construction of the new German Navy Frigate Type F125 - we are confident that we already have a good basis on which to continue this relationship and to move forwards with the companies under one roof«, says Dr. Klaus Borgschulte, Technical Director at Luerssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG.

CEO at Blohm+Voss, Fred van Beers comments, »For Blohm+Voss, customer focus and service take priority. With Luerssen we are gaining a long-term strategic owner who wants to jointly develop our company and expand our core business services.«

The family owned Luerssen Group was founded in 1875 and specialises in the design and production of yachts over 60 metres as well as naval and coast guard ships. The commercial and naval new build business is complimented by comprehensive after-sales support including repair, refit, maintenance and worldwide logistics services.