Lankhorst Ropes conducted what it called vigorous trials with its new Lankonect synthetic fibre rope connection before introducing it commercially to the towage industry.
Lankhorst’s Lankonect connection device was tested with several tug operators, including Smit Lamnalco and Multraship Towage & Salvage. Lankonect replaces a conventional cow hitch, shackle or similar hardware for quicker and safer tug operators and towing. This is time-consuming to connect on site and there is a risk of a break in the main line and forerunner from over-pulling. Instead of this, tug operators only need a Lankonect as it removes all of this hardware, the manufacturer said in a statement in January.
Lankhorst commercial director Hans-Pieter Baaij sees this as a new approach to tow line assembly. He described it as “a significant breakthrough” because “tug operators can now configure their tow lines to maximise the tow, yet reduce the risks of costly damage to the line itself.”
But before Lankonect could be commercialised, it needed to be tested in various conditions, on different tugs and in multiple ports. In 2017, durability tests were conducted in many western European ports, including Rotterdam and Antwerp, said Lankhorst product area manager Jacco van Snippenberg.
He told Tug Technology & Business that before the port trials, tests “based on actual harbour towing job scenarios” were conducted in Lankhorst’s own facilities.
Multraship Towage & Salvage superintendent Andries Looijen said the economic benefits were identified during the trials. He said Lankonect removes the need for having a lashing between the main line and the forerunner. “To replace one of these ropes we had to cut the lashing, but with Lankonect this is not necessary anymore,” he explained.
“To replace one of these ropes we had to cut the lashing, but with Lankonect this is not necessary anymore”
Smit Lamnalco procurement manager Jan Busscher highlighted that the safety benefits of Lankonect were clearly visible, adding that the “ease of use and thus indirectly the safety for the crew is striking.”
Towing masters can set a calculated breaking force for the tow line configuration. They can then set Lankonect to be either the strongest connection or a calculated weak link in the towline configuration. This minimises the chance of damaging other components, such as the towing bit and winch on board the tugboat or the ship’s bollard or other lines in the towing configuration.
Lankhorst said Lankonect works with a wide range of synthetic materials including lightweight, high strength Dyneema (which is used for its Lankoforce rope) and polyester (used in its Strongline rope). It has a greater range of connection options than for traditional tow line configurations, Lankhorst said, reporting that the small Lankonect knot provides smoother line movement, as well as easier handling, compared to a conventional and large bulky knot.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.