Retrofitting made easy in partnership with IRON Pump

ITS (UK) Ltd was tasked by one of our top customers with sourcing a replacement anti-heeling pump that was obsolete in the market. We needed to seek a solution to replace this highly specialised pump unit that had become costly to maintain.

Following several enquiries to pump manufacturers, ITS (UK) Ltd chose to propose IRON pumps above other competitor solutions. This was based on the reputation of IRON Pumps within the market and their willingness to go the extra distance to solve the problems associated with retrofitting equipment onboard a ship.

Retrofitting always calls for creativity in order to match the performance and get as close to a “plug-and-play” solution as possible, whilst being able to present a cost-effective solution to the owner.

IRON Pump is well known for making customer specific solutions, in this case, their design team made a minor modification to the suction casings of their latest QTE model to allow it to be retrofitted onboard our customers vessel.

The QTE model is the only design on the market that has the suction casing feature, that offers two advantages at the same time. Firstly, it allows service of the pump without lifting it from its bed. Secondly, it is fitted with guide vanes inside, to prevent turbulent flow at the inlet of the impellers, that results in reduced efficiency and can lead to cavitation.

The first order was received mid July 2020, due for dispatch beginning of October 2020. This gave IRON Pump approximately 12 weeks to produce the change of casting pattern over the summer holiday season, obtain the new casted parts, machine, fit, test and certify the pump to Lloyds Register of Shipping. Despite the very ambitious time schedule, the shipment went on time. Now a year after, ITS (UK) Ltd and Iron Pump have supplied six retrofitted anti-heeling pumps on an entire series of vessels within our customer’s fleet.