Polymer Link enhances Guardian Maritime's anti-piracy barriers with innovative rotomoulded raw materials and masterbatches.Polymer Link enhances Guardian Maritime's anti-piracy barriers with innovative rotomoulded raw materials and masterbatches.

Enhancing GUARDIAN™ Anti-Piracy Barriers with Polymer Link's Rotomoulded Solutions

By admin on May 10, 2023

Overview

In a dynamic partnership with Guardian Maritime, Polymer Link embarked on a mission entrusted by the maritime security firm to introduce ingenious measures in polymer innovation for maritime defence. Guardian Maritime, renowned for its pioneering anti-piracy barriers crafted by founder-visionaries David and Teresa Stevens, has left a profound imprint on safeguarding vessels against piracy and hijacking. Their revolutionary maritime innovation, GUARDIAN™, has navigated the course of ship safety by prioritising proactive measures over mere response strategies.

We take pride in our extensive network across the manufacturing industry, skilfully aiding inventors from all walks of life in transforming their ideas into tangible reality.

The challenge

Elevating material composition and sustainability

While the hardware designs of the GUARDIAN™ Anti-Piracy Barriers proved remarkably effective, there remained challenges related to the materials’ composition and durability against the harsh sea environments. Ensuring the highest standards of crew safety, marine life preservation, and environmental responsibility was a prime concern in the innovation of these materials.

Harsh maritime environment

The maritime’s harsh conditions subject the anti-piracy barriers to a relentless barrage of salt water, UV radiation, and extreme weather conditions. Guardian Maritime encountered the challenge of pinpointing a material apt for these barriers – one that could withstand the unyielding maritime elements while guaranteeing both durability and efficacy.

Complex and varied vessel configurations

Sea vessels come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, each with its unique configuration. Guardian Maritime encountered the challenge of designing anti-piracy barriers that could seamlessly integrate into different vessel structures while maintaining their efficacy. The need for a versatile material that could adapt to complex moulds and maintain consistent performance was paramount.

The solution

An advanced partnership with experts in polymers

Performance consistency

The Standard Grade, High Performance Series of PolyLink PL6438 resonated with the stringent performance demands of Guardian Maritime’s anti-piracy barriers. The material’s inherent versatility translated into consistent, reliable performance even under the harshest maritime conditions. The material’s processability and ability also adapts to complex moulds streamlined the integration of the barriers. This harmony between material and design resulted in barriers that fit seamlessly and effectively across various vessel configurations.

Polymer Link's Standard Grade High Performance Series are used for manufacturing anti-piracy barriers to prevent pirate attacks

The solution

An advanced partnership with experts in polymers

Performance consistency

The Standard Grade, High Performance Series of PolyLink PL6438 resonated with the stringent performance demands of Guardian Maritime’s anti-piracy barriers. The material’s inherent versatility translated into consistent, reliable performance even under the harshest maritime conditions. The material’s processability and ability also adapts to complex moulds streamlined the integration of the barriers. This harmony between material and design resulted in barriers that fit seamlessly and effectively across various vessel configurations.

Leveraging UV Stabiliser Additive Masterbatch

One key solution involves the integration of our UV Stabiliser Additive Masterbatch. This specialised masterbatch protects the barriers from the damaging effects of continuous, intense UV radiation exposure. By incorporating this UV stabiliser additive, the anti-piracy barriers are shielded from sun-induced deterioration, allowing them to maintain their structural integrity and effectiveness over time.

Custom Colour Masterbatch

Another essential aspect of the solution is the incorporation of our Custom Colour Masterbatch. Beyond enhancing the visual appeal of the barriers, this customised colour additive also serves a functional purpose, painting a warning sign to potential hijackers and deterring their advancement. This dual-purpose approach contributes to the aesthetic aspect while assisting in the maintenance of the barriers’ effective presence.

The viewing angle at the rear of the blue coloured ship equipped with anti-piracy barriers, which holds a lot of cargo
The black coloured ship's equipped with anti-piracy barriers provides protection to the ship's crew
A green coloured ship equipped with anti-piracy barriers
The viewing angle at the rear of the blue coloured ship equipped with anti-piracy barriers, which holds a lot of cargo
The black coloured ship's equipped with anti-piracy barriers provides protection to the ship's crew
A green coloured ship equipped with anti-piracy barriers

The final result

Since their introduction, the GUARDIAN™ barriers have demonstrated their prowess in real-world scenarios. During a pirate attack in 2013, these barriers thwarted the assailants, and they have since prevented the capture of 65 seafarers, underscoring their critical role in safeguarding lives and vessels.

You might also be interested in

Standard Grade Rotational Moulding Materials

Performance Additives

Custom Color Masterbatch