A Joint Industry Project (JIP) funded by the Scottish Government and administered by the Carbon Trust, under the Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), has combined the efforts of nine European organisations with the objective of testing and qualifying new synthetic mooring components. In comparison with expensive and heavy conventional chain-based mooring systems, the use of nylon can be considered as a cost-effective solution in shallower water depths.
A European JIP, composed of Tension Technology International (project leader), the rope manufacturer Bridon International, Ideol, Bluewater Energy Services , DNV-GL and Lloyd's Register (LR) has been set up for qualifying nylon via a rope testing programme so that it can be deployed safely and certified for permanent moorings. LR has conducted a technology qualification, which evaluated the qualification steps for the ropes designed by Bridon International. LR also witnessed key rope tests conducted at TTI testing Ltd and Bridon International, including 20 million fatigue cycles on the nylon sample. These tests have confirmed the qualification of nylon for long term application.
