Four decades of maritime innovation with Svanehøj

Senior Development Expert, Lau Halkjær, marks 40 years of technological development in Svanehøj.

Time does not stand still. Neither for Svanehøj nor for Senior Development Expert Lau Halkjær. Having spent 40 years in the Technology Department in Svanehøj, Lau is an excellent example of how technological development in Svanehøj builds on long-term expertise and know-how.

As a young engineer in the 1980s, Lau's first project in Svanehøj was centered around a blowout preventer for a drilling platform, a component that served as a critical safety precaution in oil extraction. In sharp contrast to the digital tools in today's engineering processes, those were the days of pencil and drawing board designs.

Back in the days when Lau graduated as a civil engineer with a major in mechanical engineering, little did he know that his career would follow the development of the maritime industry.

Reflecting on his 40 years in Svanehøj, Lau notes:

- When I started working in Svanehøj on February 1, 1984, I had a different perspective on time. One assignment took the other, and I have never been short of tasks, even in the less busy times. Looking ahead, even five years from, now seems like an endless amount of time. The speed at which technology changes in modern times can give you the impression that the future appears vast and unpredictable.

Technological milestones throughout the last 40 years

Customer satisfaction is a cornerstone in Svanehøj. Because of this, technological development has always responded to the needs and demands of market changes and customer needs. The majority of orders over time have, therefore, been tailored to the specifications and requirements of customers.

Over his four decades in Svanehøj, Lau has celebrated several technological and innovative milestones.

That was the case with the submerged electrically driven cargo pump type CPS, Svanehøj's first electric submersible pump, which was introduced in 1997 and marked a significant innovative leap. The pump was born from a vision of the ideal cargo pump, which Svanehøj realized with an electrically driven, single-stage pump with variable speed and no need for intermediate shaft bearings.

Next in line, according to technological milestones, was the CK Pump, which in 2003 set the stage for the long-shaft electrically driven CKL 300 Pump. With modified impellers, this new design, intended for offshore applications, increased capacity and demonstrated Svanehøj's dedication to high-performing, well-proven technologies. The design was new, but the underlying technology was well-proven.

When Svanehøj embraced GPS standards for technical drawings in 2005, it marked a turning point, not only for Lau but for Svanehøj as a company. It was a strategic move that put Svanehøj in a position to excel globally and set new standards for its engineering processes.

Pursuing excellence

The newest addition to the product portfolio is the  cryogenic submerged fuel pump for LNG, the CS Fuel Pump, which, according to Lau, fulfills demands frequently expressed by customers.

This pump supports the rising demand for LNG-powered vessels and is the outcome of Svanehøj’s commitment to innovation and development in response to increasing customer requests arising from ever-growing environmental issues. The CS Fuel Pump is yet another example of the vast maritime experience paired with cutting-edge technology.

- I like it when people are passionate about what they are doing. Here, it's all about exchanging knowledge, pursuing excellence, and maintaining high standards for Svanehøj's products. Fortunately, there are a lot of dedicated individuals like that in Svanehøj. I think the future for Svanehøj looks very promising. We have a CEO and a management team with a great ambition for continuous maritime innovation, and we are well-equipped for many more years of excellence, says Lau.

With technological experts like Lau Halkjær and an ongoing commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, Svanehøj continues navigating the maritime industry's ever-changing tides and striving for a greener tomorrow.

CEO Søren Kringelholt Nielsen (left) and Senior Technology Expert Lau Halkjær (right).