Engineers’ ferry good work

MERSEY engineering firm IPS has delivered a package of insulation and fabrication work for the new Stena Superfast X ro-pax ferry.

The Birkenhead-based company run by partners Paul Smith and Peter Hillan manufactured and installed close to 250 insulation pads across the ship and also delivered widescale stainless steel fabrication upgrades to canteen and galley areas.

The Stena Superfast X – which holds 1,200 passengers and 660 cars – underwent an extensive refit in Gdynia, Poland, before starting service between Holyhead and Dublin in March.

Smith said IPS Marine Fabrications undertook a complete survey of the vessels, including key areas such as the engine and pump rooms, before manufacturing and installing a broad range of bespoke components.

“We initially carried out a complete inspection of the ship’s insulation pads,” he said. “These are commonly used across vessels to cover a variety of machinery including flanges, valves, expansion joints, heat exchangers, pumps, turbines, tanks and other irregular surfaces. Essentially, any high temperature piping or equipment should be insulated to reduce heat loss, emissions and improve safety.

“We identified a total of 240 insulation pads which required replacing, many of which were oil-soaked. We manufactured the replacement pads at our site in Birkenhead and installed them across the vessel.

“These were made to MCA (Metal Construction Association) requirements and can be easily removed for periodic inspections. Another key element of the project involved refurbishment to the galley and canteen areas providing stainless steel hand rails and serving units.”

IPS Marine Fabrications specialises in delivering metal fabrication and insulation products. Its rounded services include survey, design manufacturing, installation and maintenance.