Container shipping revolutionised the world, allowing companies to sell their goods around the globe. The consumer has come to expect fruit from exotic locations, tech devices from the Far East and a never ending supply of cheap goods from China.To maintain this level of movement, shipping companies have invested in bigger and bigger container vessels. Carrying thousands of pounds worth of goods, a breakdown is a real problem for the business, delaying delivery of goods. A breakdown mid-ocean could also mean the loss of perishable goods.
We spoke to a company who make it their mission to ensure that these vessels continue in case of catastrophic failure. Their small team are experts in crankshaft machining in-situ.
The crankshaft is a large metal rod which runs from the motor of the vessel to the propeller. It carries the power of the engine and converts it into propulsion. If this rod fails, the normal procedure is to wait for a support vessel to arrive and to tow the stricken liner back to a port where the engine can be dismounted and repaired.
Using specialist tools, In-Situ are able to mend the vessel where it is. These large crankshaft repairs save valuable time and money, ensuring that the vessel can be on its way and make its deliveries as soon as possible.
In one recent example the company were called out to fix a bent shaft which had brought the vessel to a stop. As the company are on call 24 hours a day, they were able to respond, taking along specialist machinery to repair the crankshaft without returning the vessel to shore. In-situ were kind enough to provide photos showing the crankshaft before and after their work.
In a world where global growth is the aim of so many companies, where product launches are global and shipping is an essential commodity. Thanks to the innovation of companies like In-situ, we can rely on a truly global shipping industry.
