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As an example of how international engineering and performance standards can be applied to improving ship technology and functionality, the LNG bunkering vessel M/T Coralius is a fitting case.  Owned by Sirius Shipping and the Anthony Veder Group and chartered by Skangas (now Gasum), the Coralius, which completed her first bunkering operation in September 2017, contributes to an LNG infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region while boasting a fuel transfer system technology that is truly state-of-the-art.

Formed in 1978 the ASTM’s Committee F25 on Ships and Marine Technology still plays a pivotal role in developing new standards for the entire maritime industry and currently has jurisdiction over 100 standards. ASTM International works to improve the lives of millions so when it became clear that there were insufficient standards and inconsistencies in the construction of LNG bunkering hose systems it was inevitable that the marine industry would turn to them for guidance.

It might be at the time new technologies emerge in areas where there are incomplete knowledge and understanding. It could be when persistent problems reveal deficiencies in current system designs and field operating practices. Or, it might arise when a lack of comprehensive and universal standards is causing work inefficiencies – so much so that companies are needing to “reinvent the wheel” with each new customer application.

By employing Dixon’s intake manifolds, a Well Services company overcame catastrophic failures to its hydraulic fracturing fluid-ends, preventing costly operational downtime and repairs. The situation: Hydraulic fracturing operations are intense and time critical. The need for continuous and uninterrupted flow from the myriad high-pressure pump units within the “hot zone” near the well head allows little room for equipment failures.

As vice president of sales and marketing at Dixon, Scott Jones is tasked with promoting the company’s products to a global marketplace. One of Dixon’s most significant advantages over the competition, he says, is the company’s longtime emphasis on educating its distributor customers on how to properly assemble, use and re-sell its products. “We really look at training as being one of the key differentiators that we can provide to our distributors,” says Jones, who has worked at Dixon for more than 30 years. “It’s a priority for me.”

What makes a specialty contractor special? As opposed to a general contractor, a specialty contractor is someone who concentrates on one particular area of construction, such as plasterwork, site preparation, plumbing, or electrical work. Specialty contractors are often hired by general contractors and project managers for a certain level of expertise on the worksite. Many specialty contractors have received extensive training in their field of practice and must be licensed in the state in which they work. You are likely familiar with a variety of specialty contractors, but here...

The construction industry is constantly evolving. New technologies, consumer demand, availability and cost of raw materials, and the economy at large all play a role in influencing the field from one year to the next. So, what’s in store for the months ahead? We asked Dixon Regional Sales Manager Chris Jarman to pick a few trends he sees currently shaping the industry.

Food safety is the highest priority for consumers and producers alike. When you think of food production, stainless steel may not be something that typically comes to mind, but perhaps it should.  Stainless steel plays a crucial part in the production and safety of our food. In the food processing industry, stainless steel is used throughout the entire process from harvesting, handling, and storing, to cooking and serving. About 200,000 tons of stainless steel is used each year by the food processing industry in North America alone. To be recognized as stainless steel...

Fact: every single person in the world relies on the food and beverage industry. No pressure, right? With the population growing quickly and many consumers living fast-paced lifestyles, the food and beverage (“F&B”) industry must constantly adapt to become more energy efficient, globally sustainable, cost efficient, and health conscious. The food and beverage industry includes every aspect of a food or beverage’s production, from how its ingredients are obtained, to how it is processed, distributed, or consumed, and everything in between. One thing remains the same in this...