Page 97: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 1988)

Advanced Fiber Technology (continued) wet or dry, knot and splice easily, and provide the high elasticity re- quired to even out the strains of mooring and towing.

New England Ropes and Samson

Ocean Systems are also marketing ropes made with Spectra high-per- formance fibers.

According to Allied-Signal, Spec- tra is the strongest fiber ever made, pound for pound, 10 times stronger than steel.

According to Michael Hannon, marketing manager of the High Per- formance Fiber Group of Allied-Sig- nal, Spectra is engineered to provide outstanding lightweight strength and low-stretch characteristics. "These qualities provide a revolu- tionary alternative to the wire rope predominately used in tough marine applications," he said. "Spectra has the strength and positive control of wire rope, without the excessive weight and corresponding handling problems. Wire rope can weigh up to five times as much as Spectra with only equal strength or less," Mr.

Hannon claimed.

Spectra is available in two fiber types—Spectra 900 for intermittent loading and Spectra 1000 for more continuous loading or greater strength. Suggested marine applica- tions include: life lines, topping lifts, fall lines, purse lines, deepsea moor- ing, trawl net control lines, seine net lines, pendants, oceanographic ar- ray lines, winch lines, tow hawsers and many others. "When matched for strength,

Spectra weighs 65 percent less than nylon, 73 percent less than polyester and a whopping 83 percent less than wire rope," continued Mr. Hannon. "The benefits of lighter weight in- clude high efficiency, easier han- dling and the considerable labor savings which result."

Samson Ocean Systems, manu- facturing four Spectra lines under the trademark "The Power Braids," claims a number of other benefits including the fiber's neutral buoyancy, which means that Spec- tra floats. "The low elongation provides wire-like control and the flex fatigue considerably reduces the ratio of sheave-to-rope diameter,"stated

Mr. Smith of Samson. The prod- uct's easy handling qualities provide better safety and its internal fiber

Caprolan 2000 " SeaGard " Nylon

W A

V DRY ¥a

The special SeaGard process prevents water penetration which enables the fibers to retain 95 percent of their dry strength and increase their abrasion life 20 times.

November, 1988 friction resistance, external abra- sion and corrosion resistance pro- vide it with long-lasting perform- ance. "Safety and performance are crit- ical factors that must be considered in evaluating overall economy in marine ropes," concluded Mr.

Clark of Allied Fibers. "To that end, Allied-Signal Inc. is working closely with key members of the

Cordage Institute to jointly develop products for the rope marketplace that truly reflect the cutting edge of fiber and finishing technology. Ca- prolan 2000 nylon with SeaGard and Spectra high-performance fi- bers are significant examples of this concern," he concluded.

For free literature fully detailing the high-performance fibers used in marine rope applications offered by

Allied Fibers,

Circle 10 on Reader Service Card

MHI To Build

Three Product Carriers

For BP Shipping

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) of Japan recently signed a letter of intent with BP Shipping to build three 40,000-dwt products carriers. The vessels would be deliv- ered during the second half of 1990.

Negotiations between the two par- ties are continuing.

The trend prior to Nor-Shipping '89 is positive. The market is optimistic and the prospects for the future are bright - there is buying and selling going on.

As an exhibitor at Nor-Shipping '89 you will therefore meet a more active market than we have had for a long time.

According to figures obtained from the Norwegian Ship- owners' Association (Nonges Rederiforbund), the immediate years ahead will see NOK 60-70 billion (approx. USD 10 billion) being invested in renewing the world's merchant fleet.

As a supplier of ship's gear, vessels, products or services within the cruise industry or offshore sector, or as a ship manager, you will discover that Nor-Shipping '89 will be an important opening to negotiations for new contracts in the years ahead.

The Nor-Shipping '89 conference is being arranged in colla- boration with Lloyd's of London Press Ltd., Lloyd's Ship

Manager and Shipping News International, the objective

NORGES VAREMESSE

NORWEGIAN TRADE FAIR FOUNDATION

Sjolystsentret — Sjolyst Exhibition Centre

P O Box 130 Sktayen. N-0212 Oslo 2. Norway

Tel: 102)43 80 80

Telex: 78748 messe n Telecopier (02) 4319 14

Circle 264 on Reader Service Card being to consider topics that can affect the operational effi- ciency of ships. A detailed conference programme will be available closer to the opening date.

WELCOME AS AN EXHIBITOR!

For further information, contact the Norwegian Trade Fair

Foundation, Tel. +472 43 80 80, telex no. 78748, telecopier +472 43 19 14.

Organizer: The Norwegian Trade Fair Foundation.

Please send me an exhibitior brochure for Nor-Shipping '89.

Name:

Firm:

Address:

Telex:. ^Telecopier: _ Tel:

Please send the coupon to: Nor-Shipping, The Norwegian Trade Fair

Foundation, P.O. Box 130 Skoyen, 0212 Oslo 2. 101

Invest in Nor-Shipping '89 - and benefit from the positive trend in international shipping.

Between 13 and 16 June, the decision-makers of the international shipping community will turn their eyes for the twelfth time to Norway and the Sjolyst Exhibition Centre.