Posted on 30 Aug 2016
Sandvik’s advanced stainless steel is the base for an innovative prototype boat being built by Swedish Steel Yacht AB (SSY).
The new boat will be built under a partnership agreement signed by Swedish Steel Yachts AB (SSY), Sandvik Materials Technology, AGA Gas, Saab and Scania CV in high-strength, maintenance-free, stainless steel.
“This is a very exciting development and evaluation project between four major Swedish companies, which could solve several key challenges in the boatbuilding industry, by providing more efficient, safer and greener boats in the future,” says Pasi Kangas, Head of Research and Development at Sandvik Materials Technology.
The prototype boat, working name “Project P16 Prototype”, is aimed to be used by the coast guard and sea-rescue services or as a civilian transport boat. The aim of the project is to evaluate an entirely new technology for constructing more efficient, stronger and maintenance-free vessels. On completion, the new boat can potentially open up a whole new market for vessels of this type.
The shipping industry currently accounts for a substantial portion of air and sea environmental impact around the world. This is a key factor in the design of the new boat, which allows less material to be used, thereby lightening the vessel and reducing fuel consumption. In addition, the shipbuilding material to be used, Sandvik’s advanced steel material, Sandvik SAF 2507™, used in industries such as oil and gas, is 100% recyclable stainless steel and will not need to be painted with poisonous antifouling paint as is the case with traditional shipbuilding materials.
The vessel will be delivered in the first quarter of 2017 and is being built in Gävle, Sweden by SSY. On completion, the vessel will be used mainly by Saab and based in Karlskrona. Read more about Sandvik SAF 2507™
Objective: To demonstrate an entirely new technology for constructing more efficient, stronger and maintenance-free vessels. The shipping industry currently accounts for a substantial portion of air and sea environmental impact around the world and the new boat design will result in less material being used, thereby lightening the vessel and reducing fuel consumption. The material to be used for the boat is 100% recyclable stainless steel and will not need to be painted with poisonous antifouling paint like traditional shipbuilding materials. The start-up of the project makes it practical to showcase this as a potential new market for vessels of this type.
