Piping systems on board ships and offshore installations are constantly exposed to extreme conditions: salt water, corrosion, mechanical stress from rough seas, and strict international environmental regulations place high demands on materials and connection technology. aquatherm piping systems made from fusiolen® polypropylene cover all key installation areas on board – from cooling and HVAC systems for ships, through to wastewater and ballast water piping, right up to technical supply lines.
Advantages of plastic piping systems in shipbuilding
Piping systems made of fusiolen® polypropylene are superior to metal systems in shipbuilding in several respects over their entire lifecycle.
Low weight as an economic factor
While steel has a density of 7,800 kg/m³, our PP piping systems for shipbuilding weigh just 980 kg/m³. This has a direct impact on design, installation, and operation: easier handling at the shipyard, faster installation, and—due to the low specific weight—a measurable contribution to fuel savings.
Corrosion resistance without maintenance
Polypropylene does not rust. With PP pipes, there are therefore no incrustations, no corrosion-related leaks, and no costly coating or inspection cycles. This significantly reduces operating costs and extends the system’s service life to up to 100 years.
Easy processing, secure connections
Pipes and fittings are joined by heat fusion (socket welding or butt welding) to form a homogeneous, material-bonded unit. Mechanical weak points at connection points are eliminated. The connections in marine piping systems are ready for operation immediately after fusion.
Lower thermal conductivity
With a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/mK, aquatherm piping systems for ships require significantly less insulation against heat and cold loss as well as condensation formation than metal pipes. This is a major advantage for HVAC systems and technical supply lines.
Environmental Product Declaration
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are available for aquatherm PP pipe systems. fusiolen® polypropylene is also recyclable and free of harmful substances during processing and disposal.
Pipework networks between cooling water units, absorption chillers and ventilation units in cabins and work areas
Medium: water, water-glycol mixture or seawater.
Product: aquatherm blue (20–630 mm)
Piping for ship stabilisation and trim under high corrosion loads and mechanical stresses
Products: aquatherm blue and aquatherm green
Discharge of grey and black water on board – wastewater piping systems for shipbuilding designed for chemical resistance and pressure loads
Product: aquatherm blue
Hygienically flawless supply, free from heavy metals and toxic chemicals
Product: aquatherm green (over 450 pipes and fittings in 20–355 mm, prefabricated pipe manifolds available)
Cooling pipes on ships and exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), resistant to hydrochloric acid, hydrogen sulphide, chlorine and sulphur dioxide
Product: aquatherm blue
Pipe systems for offshore installations and wind energy pipelines
Marine piping systems on drilling platforms, crane vessels and accommodation vessels are operated under difficult maintenance conditions, where downtime costs in the event of a failure can result in high costs. aquatherm PP piping systems are designed for a service life of up to 100 years in saltwater environments and are suitable for temperatures ranging from −40 °C to +90 °C.
Applications for offshore wind farm piping:
- HVAC and cooling of electrical generators
Air conditioning of living and working areas, as well as cooling of technical systems on platforms and accommodation vessels
Product: aquatherm blue - Fresh water supply and sanitary engineering
Drinking water, hot and cold water distribution on manned offshore units
Product: aquatherm green - Technical supply lines and process media
Cooling circuits and exhaust gas cleaning systems on drilling platforms and crane vehicles, including for chemically aggressive media
Product: aquatherm blue Wastewater and drainage
Grey and black water disposal, as well as technical drainage pipes made of PP on ships and offshore units, in compliance with international environmental regulations
Product: aquatherm blue
Durable piping systems for various maritime classifications
Classification societies such as DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV), Lloyd's Register (LR), RINA, ABS, CCS and Korean Register (KR) specify which piping systems are approved for particular media, pressure ratings and ship types. Designers and shipyards therefore require marine piping systems with documented and verifiable suitability.
aquatherm PP piping systems are designed for the full range of marine applications – from cooling water and seawater to water-glycol mixtures, ballast water, fresh water, grey water and black water, as well as chemically aggressive process media. Despite this wide range of applications, the systems require neither protective coatings nor other special treatments.
The component selection is also tailored to these demanding requirements: Flanges in PN 10 – and, on request, PN 16 – are available for system connections, naturally in a seawater-resistant design. In addition, high-quality EPDM seals are used throughout. The connection technology ensures leak-free, homogeneous connections without mechanical weak points.
To support efficient planning, tendering and long-term operation, aquatherm provides EPDs, international approvals and tender documentation for system selection, all conveniently available for download.
Frequently asked questions about piping systems in shipbuilding and maritime applications
aquatherm PP piping systems are used on board for HVAC and cooling water lines, ballast water transport, drinking water and hot water supply, as well as wastewater. In the engine rooms, the marine piping systems are also suitable for technical supply lines, including exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers).
The shipbuilding piping systems are designed for cooling water, water-glycol mixtures, seawater, ballast water, fresh water, as well as gray and black water. Due to its high chemical resistance, aquatherm blue is suitable for chemically aggressive media in technical circuits and scrubber systems.
Yes. aquatherm PP pipe systems are saltwater-resistant and designed for a service life of up to 100 years. They are used on drilling platforms, crane vessels, accommodation vessels and offshore wind farms, where maintenance intervals are long and downtime is costly.
Key requirements include resistance to corrosion, wear and chemicals, suitability for demanding maritime conditions, pressure resistance and low weight to support fuel efficiency. aquatherm piping systems are designed for a temperature range of −40 °C to +90 °C.
Classification societies such as DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV), Lloyd’s Register (LR), RINA, ABS, CCS and the Korean Register (KR) define approval requirements for maritime piping systems depending on the ship type, medium and pressure rating.