WIKA Offers High-Quality Measurement Solutions for the International Ship Building Industry

Each maritime vessel built for commercial purposes must meet strict guidelines as issued by a classification and certification agency. With approvals from major approval agencies, including Lloyd’s Register and Bureau Veritas, WIKA produces quality force and level measurement instruments that help our OEM customers meet these organizations’ unique standards.

Maritime classification societies have existed since the early 1800s. When a shipyard is in its earliest phases of design and classification, the various agencies involved choose a society with which to be aligned. Lloyd’s Register,the oldest one, is also the most widely accepted approval agency globally. The other major classification societies are ABS, Bureau Veritas, DNV-GL, and RMRS.

Each society has unique standards as to what components and machinery a type of vessel must contain. During the design phase of a maritime project, it is important for engineering firms and OEMs to regularly communicate with their suppliers regarding which society the shipyard has secured. Doing so assures the manufacturers’ conformance with standards and maintains the scope of work.

By extension, each society specifies the instrumentation required, as they all have their own test methods for the issuance of approvals and certificates. Pressure, Force, Level, and Temperature are all measurements that must be taken into account to ensure a vessel’s safe operation prior to and after its departure from the shipyard.

WIKA’s Standing with Classification Societies

WIKA has secured approvals from all the major classification societies. We have worked with these agencies, understand each group’s specific standards, and offer a range of products that meet their requirements – as well as those of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

For example, WIKA provides a tailor-madesolution for SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea Convention) as amended by the IMO in January 2015. The directive from this UN agency stipulates that container weights must be verified prior to loading. WIKA’s solution for force measurement plays a key role in this requirement by integrating our load pins in the twistlocksof a crane’s spreader while the container is being lifted. The information that load pins provide helps to streamline the loading process as referenced by shipandoffshore.net (Publication: – Issue: 006/17 – 29.09.2017 – Page 48). 

Customization for Advanced Approval Requirements

WIKA also offers customization with regards to more advanced approval requirements, as there are many areas where a vessel may require more than a standard certificate. Take the instance of when WIKA assisted a marine engine manufacturer with its Lloyd’s Register specification. WIKA’s float level switches were already in compliance with the society’s ENV1 and ENV2 specifications, but the manufacturer asked that we meet category ENV4 as well, as the instrument was to be mounted to the engine.

Environmental Categories (ENV) from Lloyd’s Register

Source: https://www.cdlive.lr.org/information/documents/Approvals/TASystem/TestSpec/Test%20Spec1.pdf

After a few design changes, WIKA was able to pass the elevated testing requirements and fulfill our commitment to improving the engine manufacturer’s business.

WIKA, a global leader in advanced measurement technologies, understands the unique needs of the ship building industry. By working closely with our customers, WIKA’s specialists develop comprehensive solutions based on our high-quality instruments for pressure, temperature, force, level, and flow. We can also customize our wide range of devices and services, including installation and calibration, according to client requirements. Contact WIKA to learn more about our products and commitment to customer service.