It’s official – Proteum becomes the latest FNM UK Dealer

On the 20th of February 2024, Proteum signed a contract with Marine Enterprises the UK distributor of FNM engines to become their South Coast of the UK dealer for the FNM brand of in-board engines.

FNM Marine specialises in the design and manufacture of high-quality inboard diesel and hybrid engines, renowned for their exceptional reliability and low operating costs. Offering a range of engines, FNM’s Blue Hybrid System, is a highly innovative solution that provides customers with the ability to navigate with zero emissions.

The Blue Hybrid system enables a seamless transition from diesel to electric power, with the benefits of significantly reducing environmental impact. This technology is especially advantageous for commercial vessels operating within protected natural areas, where silent operation and pollution prevention are essential.

Neil Taylor, General Manager at Proteum, stated: “the addition of the FNM range of engines is an excellent complement to the other established brands distributed by Proteum. FNM engines have a power output ranging from 80hp to 350hp, and they use the latest standard rail fuel injection systems that are controlled by the ECU.

Furthermore, FNM’s latest Blue Hybrid System aligns with Proteum’s goal of offering a range of zero-emission engines, which supports the company’s vision of protecting lives and protecting our planet.”

Sean Brackstone, Managing Director of Marine Enterprises “We are delighted to appoint Proteum as the central south coast dealer for the FNM product range. Having worked very successfully with Proteum for many years, we know that they have a highly skilled team and are ideally placed to meet the needs of FNM customers.”

The FNM engine range is known for its reliability and efficiency in terms of delivery time, which typically takes 6 to 8 weeks. With Proteum’s quick installation process, customers in need of an inboard engine on short notice can get back to full operations in a relatively short period of time.

FNM Blue Hybrid Inboard Engineering
Photograph above: FNM Blue Hybrid Inboard Engineering

ENDS

For product information, please contact either [email protected] or [email protected]

For media enquiries, please contact Proteum Head of Marketing, Communications and Media [email protected]

New Vessel for Marine Cable

Built by Bulldog Boats, “BANRION BEAG” is a 14-meter cable laying vessel displacing 13 tons, built using HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene); no ship is indestructible, but building in HDPE comes close to it; HDPE is known for its durability and resistance to impacts. This makes boats made from HDPE less prone to damage from collisions with rocks, logs, or other obstacles in the water.

HDPE has many advantages over more traditional hull construction, such as being fully recycled at the end of its life cycle; the material can be recycled and repurposed.

Fitted out with Twin OXE 300hp diesel outboards supplied by Proteum, “BANRION BEAG” was launched and commissioned at Conway Marina, North Wales, in January 2023 and is already in operation along the East Coast of England.

Congratulations to Mark Corrigan and the Cable Marine Services team on acquiring this new vessel; Proteum wishes you every success.

Are you planning to Go Green?

Here is some helpful information regarding Bio-fuels:

As commercial vessel operators, we all have a social responsibility to reduce our carbon emissions; the good news is that you don’t have to wait for future technologies to make your business more sustainable; reducing your vessel emissions by up to 97% is as easy as simply filling up with HVO 100 (hydro-treated vegetable oil) instead of standard diesel. It sounds straightforward and is, as the complete range of OXE Marine diesel outboards distributed by Proteum is validated to operate using HVO fuel.

 

Here are a few things to consider when switching to HVO 100 fossil-free fuel:

Choose a suitable biodiesel.

There are two common types of bio-diesels: FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) and HVO. For diesel-powered vessels, Proteum recommends HVO, more specifically HVO 100 – European standard EN15940 – because it has basically the same properties as standard diesel fuel (EN590), so you can use it in your vessel as you would standard diesel fuel.

HVO 100 has storage and ageing properties very similar to standard diesel fossil fuel, so you don’t need to worry about storing your HVO 100 fuel any differently than your standard diesel fuel.

All OXE diesel outboards are validated to operate with HVO 100 (EN15940) fossil-free fuel, so if you’re thinking of re-powering your current diesel engines to OXE diesel outboards, you don’t need to do anything except power up with HVO 100 and go about your usual business. No engine modifications are necessary. A few modifications to the vessel may be necessary, but no alterations should be required for your vessel fuel storage, and no change to your service intervals or requirements should be required. It’s business as usual.

 

What about mixing HVO with standard diesel?

HVO 100 fossil-free fuel (EN15940) has the same properties as standard diesel fuel (EN590), so you can mix the fuels in any ratio, and your OXE diesel outboard engine will continue running as usual without any difference. For example, if you have half a tank of standard diesel and find an HVO 100 pump at the marina, you can happily bunker up. Likewise, if you’re constantly fuelling with HVO 100 in your home port because it’s readily available, but you come to another port where they only have standard diesel, then no problem – fuel up with standard diesel, and your installation will continue running as usual on the mixed load.

 

Cost and availability.

So, if HVO 100 is an excellent choice for all the above reasons – and if it’s so easy to reduce your current CO2 emissions by 97% simply by filling up from a different pump – why isn’t everyone doing it?

The first is availability; standard diesel fuel production is very mature and widely used in every country worldwide. HVO 100 fuel is still a young product with limited demand, is more complex to produce, and isn’t readily available in all areas of the UK. This is offset by the fact that you can blend it with standard diesel. You can use HVO 100 when it’s available and switch back when it’s not – any CO2 emission reduction is a win for your company on the path to sustainability.

The second and main catch for most potential users is cost. HVO 100 fuel is currently more expensive than standard diesel, but we hope that situation will improve over time with increased use.

 

So, what’s the verdict on HVO 100?

If an OXE diesel outboard powers your boat, then if HVO 100 is available in your area, you can switch to HVO 100 instead of standard diesel today. You’ll achieve a significant improvement in the sustainability of your propulsion without having to invest in new equipment.

In doing so, you immediately reduce your vessel’s CO2 emissions. It’s that easy.

All you need is to find a supplier of HVO 100 in your area and be willing to pay the extra cost. This should be more viable for commercial users with regulations to adhere to and company sustainability ambitions to achieve, and the viability trend is heading in the right direction.  As more people learn about the benefits, demand will continue to increase, which can help move the needle on production and availability and, ultimately, lower the cost.

Like many emerging new technologies, HVO 100 fossil-free fuel could be better, but what’s important is that the marine industry now has a growing list of choices. Choices that allow you to act immediately to cover the interim more sustainably while we wait in anticipation for the next wave of innovations, such as the OXE Marine 450Hybrid, a new generation of sustainable marine propulsion.

 

If you would welcome any advice on switching to HVO, then please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or call us at 07970116473.

Proteum is reintroducing its “Power in Partnership” (P.I.P.) program

Proteum understands that the initial cost of purchasing the OXE Marine diesel outboards can be a barrier for customers. Therefore, with Power in Partnership, customers can now enjoy all the benefits of the OXE diesel outboards without having to pay the upfront cost.

 

Initially, P.I.P. is only available for the 300hp engine specification, with the availability of the 150hp/175hp/200hp versions coming later in the year.

So, how exactly does P.I.P. benefit the customer?

  • Customers can enjoy minimal initial cost to secure the engine, which is typically £6,500. they then pay a simple and manageable monthly cost of ownership.
  • Customers only pay for the hours that the engine is working and earning money if the minimum contracted hours are achieved (600 hours per year).
  • Customers can book routine services in advance, maximising operational uptime of the engine and vessel.
  • Customers can utilise all the benefits of the OXE diesel with minimum capital expenditure, and without incurring depreciation costs.
  • Customers have the option to choose from three contract termination options: extension, purchase, or return the engine.
  • Warranty, In-Service, and Support are available throughout the length of the partnership.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call us at 07970116473.

Baudouin rebuild success for wind farm supporting vessels

We are delighted to announce that the Proteum engineering team championed by Ben Allan Aftersales Support Manager, acting on behalf of our customer Carlin Charters, has successfully completed the rebuilding of a large Moteurs Baudouin engine intended for deployment on their Channel Chieftain 9 vessel.

 

Carlin Charters is a wind farm support company with an operational scope encompassing the English Channel, Irish Sea, and Northern Europe, and their vessels are engineered for rapid response to emergencies.

The Baudouin engine, designated as 12M26.3 was methodically dismantled and measured against manufactures tolerance. In Collaboration with Baudouin, fully rebuilt by engineer Jack Woodford at the Proteum facility. Jack then had a few sunny days in Cassis providing on-site support for the validation testing and is pleased to report that the process was a resounding success.

The engine will soon be delivered to Carlin Charters and retained as a spare, preserving the company’s ability to mount a rapid response in the event of an emergency. We are pleased to have had the opportunity to provide our technical expertise and support to Carlin Charters in this important operation.

 

Proteum joins UK Ports Organisation

Proteum is proud to announce its latest membership in the UK Ports Organisation, representing several of the United Kingdom’s largest ports.

Simon Barnett, Sales Manager at Proteum, explains that joining UK Ports provides the company with the opportunity to directly engage with buyers and suppliers from the UK’s largest ports. The vessels operating within these ports vary as widely as the products imported through them. With a constant need to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel consumption, the systems and engines

 Proteum distributes offer quick wins for many operators as they transition to net zero. Having already represented Proteum at their first meeting in Felixstowe in November, Simon is confident that several UK port operators will adopt the products and services Proteum supplies. He looks forward to collaborating on some exciting new projects in the near future.

Latest OXE vessel launched

The UK’s latest OXE power vessel has been launched and commissioned

 

This vessel offers transportation services to Orford Ness located in Suffolk. Currently, people must take a ferry from Orford Quay to reach the Ness. However, the ferry can be challenging for those with mobility issues due to the steep and slippery steps. The newly built landing craft will enable step-free access to the Ness, making it possible for wheelchair users, families with buggies, and others who cannot use steps to visit.

The landing craft is designed to transport a vehicle and a trailer weighing up to 4 tons or 12 passengers per crossing. It will be coded to MCA category 3 and features a pair of OXE 150Hp diesel outboards and internal fuel tanks. The wheelhouse can accommodate a helm and two crew members, and a bow thruster is installed to assist in the strong current that can flow on the Alde-Ore Estuary.

 

NT Kite

Alamarin-Jet UK distribution agreement

Proteum has renewed sole UK distributorship with Alamarin-Jet

 

Neil Taylor, Proteum’s General Manager, expressed his pleasure, stating that Proteum is delighted to continue their excellent relationship with Alamarin-Jet. Both companies are aligned in supplying high-quality and reliable products to several of the UK’s leading boat and ship manufacturers, which are essential assets in the marine sector.

Proteum is looking forward to further growth as Alamarin-Jet now manufactures the Omega Series of water jets. These water jets are capable of high-speed efficiency (55+ knots) while maintaining extremely high bollard pull and cavitation margins, making them ideal for the UK’s increasing SOV (Service Operations Vessel’s) market supporting Offshore Renewables.

Stephan Ostrom, Alamarin-Jet’s Regional Sales Manager, also commented on the renewed sole distributor agreement, expressing his pleasure. He believes Proteum to be the ideal partner for their products in the UK and Ireland due to their professionalism and extensive engineering capabilities, ensuring service and support for the Alamarin range of water jets.

 

When reliability matters

Konrad Stern Drives

The “Curly Phillips”, a 56-passenger touring craft, fitted with 2 x Konrad 680B stern drives, has been in operation for three years now and has accumulated 2510 hours of trouble-free service.

With the largest and strongest gears in the industry, the 680B stern drive can carry capacities up to 8.4 metric tons per drive.

For more information on the range of Konrad stern drives available through Proteum, you can contact Simon Barnett – [email protected]

Konrad 680
Konrad 680

Compliments are class!

Proteum’s engineer James Knox was recently dispatched to Newcastle at short notice to support Edda Wind’s Boreas Worker. The Chief Engineer aboard Edda Boreas thought highly of James’ work, as he acknowledged James:

“I would like to say I am impressed with James (during his time aboard Edda Boreas). He was very thorough in his diagnosis of the suspected problem on the engine and explained it all well.

James worked ALL day without a break to rectify our issue, which hopefully is fixed.

Everything was left clean and tidy—5 stars for James from me.”

At Proteum, understanding the importance of swift intervention and the quality of our in-service support is vital to the continuous growth of our commercial customer base. Congratulations to James on a job well done.

Hide

This website will store cookies on your computer. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience (we never store personal information in a cookie) and to track how the site is being used. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.