A series of ten offshore and harbour tugs newly constructed in the United Arab Emirates have been specified with SOLASAFE® anti-glare roller sunscreens for installation at their wheelhouse windows. Each vessel will be delivered with nine roller sunscreens designed to improve visibility and working conditions for crews operating in demanding marine environments.
The project was supplied by Solar Solve Marine, whose products are widely used across newbuild and retrofit programmes worldwide.
Enhancing Wheelhouse Safety on Offshore Tugs
The SOLASAFE® sunscreens selected for this tug series are manufactured using silver shade film and housed within a durable cassette system. The screens are Type Approved by major classification societies including Lloyd’s Register, ABS, DNV, and RINA.
When deployed, the systems deliver measurable performance benefits:
- Rejection of up to 92% of solar glare
- Reduction of approximately 77% of solar heat
- Blocking of 97% of harmful ultraviolet radiation
These characteristics make them ideally suited for Anti-glare roller screens applications on vessels operating in bright, high-reflection environments such as ports, coastal waters, and offshore fields.
Supporting Series-Built Vessels in the UAE
John Lightfoot MBE, Chairman of Solar Solve Marine, commented on the importance of series-based vessel supply:
“Shipyards in the United Arab Emirates are prolific builders of tugs and support vessels that are primarily employed in offshore operations. It is common for shipowners to place orders in series, which allows efficiencies during construction and simpler maintenance throughout the vessels’ service life.”
This approach is particularly relevant within the Offshore and Marine sectors, where fleet consistency plays a key role in operational efficiency and crew familiarisation.
Pre-Installation Trial Ensures Perfect Fit
Given the scale of the order, the customer opted to trial a full shipset of nine SOLASAFE® sunscreens on the first tug several months ahead of final delivery. This allowed the shipyard to verify measurements and installation procedures before authorising production of the remaining shipsets.
The trial installation was completed successfully, with no modifications required. Following confirmation, the remaining screens were manufactured and dispatched in line with the customer’s build schedule.
This process highlights the benefits of early-stage coordination during Transport and offshore vessel construction programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are SOLASAFE sunscreens used on tug wheelhouses?
They reduce glare, heat, and UV exposure, improving visibility and comfort for crews operating in close-quarters navigation environments.
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Are these screens suitable for offshore vessels?
Yes. SOLASAFE sunscreens are commonly specified for tugs, platform supply vessels, and other offshore support ships.
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What advantage does a trial installation provide?
It allows shipyards to confirm fit and function before full production, reducing risk and ensuring consistent installation across a vessel series.
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Can SOLASAFE sunscreens be supplied for fleet-wide orders?
Absolutely. They are frequently supplied for series-built vessels to support standardisation and long-term maintenance efficiency.
