In October 2017, Resinex began an important cooperation with First Quantum Minerals, a Canadian multinational company, specialized in the mining industry. To guarantee the loading and unloading operations of the mining material at Punta Rincon Terminal in Panama, First Quantum asked Resinex to design and manufacture 9 catamaran buoys to moor bulk carriers coming from all over the world.

Resinex started to design and fabricate catamaran buoys since the ‘80s and thanks to the further engineering improvements and developments, this kind of buoy still represents the excellence in the mooring buoy category.

The buoys manufactured for this project are 18 tons heavy, 2 metres high and they have a maximum diameter of 6.8 metres, with a 37 tons net buoyancy force. They have a double quick release hook with a 100 tons SWL per hook. Each buoy is made up of two level of 8 modular linear polyethylene floats filled with polyurethane foam; with a total of 16 floats per buoy. Moreover, these buoys have the MLS system (Multi-Lever System), a special and unique system that guarantees the absolute buoy stability and performances even when exceptional sea conditions occur and with a higher pull force.

Panoramic view of our catamaran buoys

Panoramic view of our catamaran buoys

The First Quantum request for a first buoy was made in October 2017, then, a few months later, in February 2018, a second request for other 8 buoys arrived.

They have been designed, manufactured and delivered in record time (only a few months of work), so that at the end of July 2018, even if the first First Quantum ship coming from Colombia arrived 1 week earlier than the scheduled date, Resinex was ready and able to guarantee the perfect functioning of the Terminal.

Regarding the on-site work, it took only 15 days to assemble, install at sea and perform the Bollard Pull Test of all the buoys.

 

Watch the video of the installation here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpXh1t444yA