Components

SPS is lighter and has a thinner through-thickness than stiffened steel, so is well suited to components where space is at a premium.

In the case of funnel casings for five DFDS ferries, prefabricated SPS plates, provided greater machinery space inside the casings, were stiff and easy to erect. The plates afforded built-in fire and sound insulation and their flat surfaces are easier to coat and maintain.

The use of SPS in the Kawasaki SeaArrow™ Bow Stem reduces hull resistance and provides a simpler but stronger bow stem structure. The design offers significantly greater post-impact hull integrity while providing a crumple zone to limit damage to other ships.

SPS is also valuable in bulkheads, hatch covers, ramps, blast barriers and fendering.

SPS components enjoy:
• Fewer corrosion prone details and superior fatigue performance
• Greater stiffness but reduced weight
• Increased impact, blast and ballistics resistance
• Better vibration damping and acoustic insulation
• Built-in fire protection