Caledonian Macbrayne offers Cosalt extension on rope contract
11 January 2011
UK marine safety company Cosalt has secured an extension to its contract to supply rope products to Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), the largest ferry operator on the West Coast of Scotland.
Last year Cosalt supplied Nutech® Plus 8-strand in a range of diameters from 36mm to 64mm, as well as Nutech® Plus 12-strand and an overbraided Dyneema 12-strand rope.
Nutech® Plus is constructed principally from high tenacity polypropylene with outer yarns alternating with polyester for increased abrasion resistance. The product offers excellent resistance to frictional heat damage and its wet strength is equal to its dry strength. In use Nutech® Plus wears well, remains flexible and is easy to splice.
Overbraided Dyneema is an ultra high strength rope that is ten times stronger than steel with a similar weight. The rope is ideal for use as a winchline in heavy weather conditions when a vessel and its mooring equipment are under tremendous loads. It is highly resistant to fatigue and has extremely low elongation properties.
CalMac sails to 24 destinations on Scotland's West Coast, from Arran in the South to Lewis in the North. The company's fleet of 30 vessels carries over 4.75m passengers each year. Cosalt has had a long association with CalMac, which stretches back many years. As well as rope products Cosalt also supplies a range of marine safety products, from lifejackets to liferafts. The current rope contract was origninally set up in 2007 and extended for a further year at the end of 2009.
In 2011, CalMac will take delivery of a new ferry, the MV Finlaggan, which will begin service on the Kennacraig - Islay route. The ship is a modern Ro-Ro Euro Class B passenger ferry, designed to carry 550 passengers and up to 85 cars, as well as coaches and commercial vehicles. Cosalt will supply the rope for this vessel in addition to the new contract extension.
Said Nick Dennison, Cosalt Marine's Sales Director: "We enjoy an excellent working relationship with CalMac and we are thrilled to secure another extension to our existing contract."
Added CalMac's Marine Manager Captain Mike Smith: "Calmac and Northlink are pleased to have developed a good working relationship with Cosalt over the past few years for the supply of mooring ropes to our ships, many of which are operating in remote locations. We look forward to both companies continuing to work closely together in partnership to maintain cost effective, safe and efficient mooring systems on all our vessels."