Seawork International has become over the years a hugely significant event for all sectors of the marine industry. As ever, 2015’s event was jam packed with the latest in on-board safety technology, revolutionary gadgets and pioneering machinery, not to mention the abundance of cutting-edge vessels of all shapes and sizes which were docked at the ABP Southampton Port outside the exhibition centre.
The event currently boasts of being “the largest and fastest growing international commercial marine and workboat exhibition and conference held in a European working port environment”. Although there were a number of stand-out displays at this year’s event, including a portable deep sea diving tank, the main talking point was MDS Marine’s introduction of their monstrous outboard turbocharged diesel engine which won the Seawork International innovation prize for the Power & Propulsion category.
MDS Marine is a subsidiary of the Supacat Group Ltd, which also acquired Poole based BUKH Diesel UK Ltd last year. The industry engineering giants chose the annual event to unveil what they call “the first commercially viable diesel outboard engine.”
The OXE Diesel outboard, which uses Garrett turbochargers, can produce more power density than any other diesel outboard on the market, producing approximately 200hp allowing it to perform in the extreme environments required by some commercial operators.
General Manager of MDS Marine, Jeremy Paul, has said: “For the first time commercial operators have the choice of a diesel engine, which solves the logistic and safety issues associated with operating petrol engines, as well as the high prices charged in remote areas. For example, a fish farm can have fuel delivered directly and store it above ground in a bunded tank”.
Poole based customers of Turbo Dynamics, Golden Arrow Marine, chose the event to debut their Moteurs Baudouin 31.8ltr V12 – 12 M26.3 Marine Diesel engine to the UK for the first time. The huge unit was coated in a striking cool blue colour and commanded a lot of attention from visitors.
Turbo Dynamics have long supported and have previously exhibited at the marine focused event. The initiative provides an instrumental professional platform for companies of all sizes and sectors from around the world to come together and discuss ideas and trends, showcase new products and to build new relationships. As a company that not only supplies turbochargers to the marine market but also provides after-market turbo services such as repairs, overhauls, servicing and upgrading for many manufacturers such including; Napier, ABB, MTU, Yanmar, Volvo, MAN B&W, Garrett, Holset, IHI and MHI, the Turbo Dynamics team look forward to attending the SeaWork International event each year.
Stuart Flanagan, Business Development Manager of Turbo Dynamics said, “Seawork International proves year after year to be an invaluable business event. We have had a great time catching up with some of our customers including Golden Arrow Marine, Mitchell Power Systems and the Aluminium Boatbuilding Company as well as meeting lots of new companies. Being based in Christchurch, it is great to have such a key event happening right on our doorstep. We are already looking forward to next year which will see the event move to the Southampton Town Quay.”