“All that is impossible remains to be achieved.”

-Jules Verne

HB-SIA prototype, ©Le Truc/Solar Impulse

This inspiring quote runs in the banner on the Solar Impulse homepage.  And today, Solar Impluse unveils a seemingly impossible project – the HB-SIA solar-powered aircraft prototype.

As an active supplier in the Airports industry, constantly on the look-out for innovative solutions to reduce the industry’s environmental impact, this is encouraging news for Cavotec.  The project is in part sponsored by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) of which we are a Strategic Partners, so we are keen on following the development of this monumental venture.

Solar cells on wing surface ©Le Truc/Solar Impulse

The prototype unveiled today represents a trade-off between weight and performance.  Currently, the HB-SIA has a wingspan of 61 metres, a weight of just 1,500 kg and has room for a pilot only.  The upper surfaces of the wings are embedded with 12,000 photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity.  It flies relatively slowly, at about 70kph in windless conditions.  However, if the prototype succeeds in flying through the night, the design of its successor, the HB-SIB will be finalised.

The first test flight isplanned for later in the year.

For more information about the HB-SIA, the June 13th edition of the Economist features an artcile on the projoect, or visit the Solar Impulse website.

What do you think?  Is today forever marked as the day the Airports industry started anew?

Following our release about the Port of Camden’s cathodic pit system order, we have collected a sample of the resulting media coverage.  Given that the cathodic pit systems were originially designed for the Airports sector, but in this case are in use within the Ports & Maritime sector, the release generated coverage in both sectors’ trade publications.

Airport Technology, June 9, 2009

Shiff & Hafen, June 9, 2009

Maritime & Energy, June 9, 2009

Let’s face it – in the current economy especially, ports are facing a number of challenges. Ports have to make more efficient use of scare resources, cope with larger vessels without loss of productivity, reduce environmental impact, meet demands of new security legislation, ensure safe working conditions, and ultimately, be a good neighbour to surrounding communities.

This is where the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) comes in.

Established in 2004, PEMA provides a forum and public voice for the global port equipment sector, reflecting the industry’s critical role in enabling safe, secure, sustainable and productive ports. Chief among the aims of the Association is to foster good relations within the world port equipment community, by providing a forum for the exchange of best practices, common concerns, and views on trends in port equipment design, manufacture and operation worldwide.  PEMA also aims to promote and support the global role of the equipment industry, by raising awareness with the media, customers and other stakeholders: forging relations with other port industry associations and bodies.

Where might you see PEMA in action? Through a combination of activities, such as organising formal and informal gatherings, contributing to industry guidelines and standards, cooperating with other associations, marketing the value of the industry, and researching (and distributing) industry information and statistics.  PEMA recently released their second annual global survey on deliveries of port equipment for calendar year 2008, which is part of its ongoing drive to improve planning and acquisition practices in the port sector.

Current members include ABB, Baltkran, Brevetti Stendalto, Bromma, Cavotec MSL, Conductix-Wampfler, Fantuzzi Reggiane, Hyster Europe, Kalmar Industries, Konecranes, Konecranes Liftrucks, Liftech, MAFI, RAM Spreaders, Stinis, Svetruck, Terberg, Tratos and TTS Port Equipment.

For more information about PEMA or those interested in becoming a member, please leave a comment.

It’s nice to see some of the Ports & Maritime trade publications sharing in our enthusiasm for our blog.  Here is a selection of links:

Maritime & Energy

Port Technology International

The Maritime Executive

We have signed a deal with marine equipment supplier Atlantic Subsea Inc. to supply cathodic protection pit assemblies for the South Jersey Port Beckett Terminal at the Port of Camden, NJ.  Twenty Cavotec cathodic protection pit assemblies will be installed at the Port of Camden’s South Jersey Port Beckett Terminal.  Located on the Delaware River, close to the Atlantic Ocean, the South Jersey Port Corporation handles primarily bulk cargo vessels.

Ships and port infrastructure are constantly exposed to corrosion, but our cathodic pit systems drastically reduce corrosion rates on all types of metallic surface.  Cathodic protection (CP) controls corrosion of metal surfaces by making metals behave as cathodes in electrochemical cells.  The units are designed to protect electrical system conduits that will serve the Marine Terminal facility at Port Beckett.  Delivery is scheduled for August, and the terminal is due to open in October.

Manufactured by Cavotec Dabico, the cathodic protection systems for the Port of Camden represent one of the our Group’s key strengths; the ability to harness technologies from one sector and apply them to others.  Here a technology from the Airports sector is at use in the Ports & Maritime sector!

More positive news from our Airports Market Unit: this time from Canada and the States; with several orders for our in-ground systems from airports including Chicago O’Hare and Edmonton International.

Due for delivery in August, Cavotec will supply isolation valve pit assemblies, fuel hydrant pit systems, a high point vent pit assembly and two low point drain pit assemblies for O’Hare.

An example of a Cavotec pit system

And we are delivering two refueling pit systems to Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta, Georgia. Handling more than 90 million passengers last year, Hartsfield-Jackson claims to be one of the world’s busiest airports. Elsewhere, Cavotec we are also supplying hatch systems and fuel hydrant pit assemblies, fuel low point drain pit systems, one fuel high point vent pit assembly and six hydrant valves to Anchorage International in Alaska.

Across the border in Alberta, we are delivering a range of fuel systems to Edmonton International Airport, where the equipment will be used for Alberta’s Terminal Express and South Apron Expansion programmes.

Also in Canada, Cavotec recently completed an order for 12 refueling pit systems and related materiel for the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton, in Ontario.

Strategic transport aircraft, such as the C-130 Hercules, tactical transport and VIP aircraft operate from CFB Trenton. The base also coordinates search and rescue operations in central and Arctic Canada.

These orders continue a strong year for our Airports Market Unit – a trend we hope will continue in the coming months.