Bestobell Valves celebrated a major new contract, which brought the total of orders for its innovative-patented Float Level Insulation Valves (FLIVs) across the world to over 100.

The new contract for FLIVs is with Bestobell’s Chinese partner, Valseal International Ltd, on behalf of Hudong Shipyard in Shanghai, China. The order is for the six China Shipping and Mitsui OSK Lines LNG carriers that will be built there. This is a major achievement for Bestobell and Valseal, and will help secure Bestobell’s position as a major supplier of LNG cryogenic valves in the expanding Chinese LNG carrier new build market.

The FLIV has proved to be a highly successful product for Bestobell and since the first FLIV was supplied to an LNG carrier back in 2007 as many as 6/10 of all LNG carriers that have been built have FLIV fitted.

Mark Henley, managing director of Bestobell Valves, said, “It is fantastic to be able to celebrate the 100th LNG vessel that will be fitted with our FLIVs, which is a testament to the quality of our valves and the technical support we provide. In just seven years we have become the market leader in this area and our strategy is to push forward even further to grow our share of the cryogenic valve market for new LNG carriers internationally.”

The FLIV was designed by Bestobell Valves back to eliminate the problems associated with gate valves that were used to isolate the secondary float level measurement equipment from the cargo tanks. Unlike gate valves the operation of the valve eliminates the risk of cutting the tape or damaging the float during operation should the valve be closed accidentally, and when the float is still in the tank.

This can cause the float to fall back into cargo tank and have to be retrieved. The FLIV has a compact design compared to a gate valve and also includes an integral inspection chamber from which the float can be serviced, thus eliminating the need for a separate fabricated component. An open/close indication, and lock should ensure that the crewmembers couldn’t close the valve when the float is still in the cargo tank.

Bestobell Valves has been a world-leader in the manufacture of cryogenic valves for industrial gas applications for over 50 years and has over 10 years’ experience in supplying to the LNG marine markets.  Bestobell’s Valves are widely used on LNG carriers, FPSOs (Floating Production Storage Offshore) and FSRUs (Floating Storage Re-gasification Units). The company designs and produces valves to meet specific requirements and has supplied to all the major shipyards building LNG carriers around the world.