A modern merchant ship is a rather complex system of machinery, communication routes, storage room, equipment platforms and working areas. For some of these structural elements, composites offer an obvious potential for weight reduction and improved function – e.g. for cargo hatches, decks, staircases, gangways, catwalks, storage units, tanks and crew cabins.
Since the combined potential for weight reduction and better function by using composites instead of traditional materials in modern shipbuilding is both obvious and impressive, our dialogue with shipyards is intense.
Recent research also indicates a great potential for composites in load-bearing elements – e.g. structural walls, beams & girders, jetties and joist systems.