Eight-Year Trust: Herma Shipyard (Philippines) Repeats Order for Kholee Blast’s Dehumidification & Vacuum Recovery Systems
Eight-Year Trust: Herma Shipyard (Philippines) Repeats Order for Kholee Blast’s Dehumidification & Vacuum Recovery Systems
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – December 2025 – Herma Shipyard Inc., the largest Filipino-owned shipyard in the Philippines, has placed a repeat order with Kholee Blast for industrial capital investment equipment, including additional 9000CMH air-cooled dehumidifiers and a new 90kW vacuum recovery system. This follows their initial purchase of 9000CMH dehumidifiers in 2018 for blast-paint operations, marking an eight-year partnership built on performance and reliability.
A Strategic Partnership Born from Tropical Climate Challenges
Herma Shipyard, located in Bataan Freeport Zone’s natural sheltered bay, specializes in building, repairing, and drydocking 10,000 DWT vessels, serving military, commercial shipping, oil tanker, and offshore platform sectors with a 200-500-strong technical team. Operating in the Philippines’ equatorial climate—where annual humidity averages 85%-95% and summer temperatures exceed 40°C—the shipyard faced critical production hurdles prior to 2018.
“Steel plates would re-rust within 2 hours after blasting, and coating failures like blistering were common due to high humidity,” explained a Herma Shipyard production director. Blast operations require humidity below 75%, while painting demands levels under 80%—conditions unachievable without specialized equipment. After rigorous testing, Kholee Blast’s 9000CMH air-cooled dehumidifiers emerged as the solution.
Proven Performance Drives Repeat Collaboration
The 2018 deployment of Kholee Blast’s dehumidifiers delivered immediate results. Utilizing eco-friendly R134a refrigerant (compliant with global ozone protection conventions), the units maintain air conditions at 25±3°C and ≤45% RH in 200-300㎡ blast-paint bays—keeping blasted steel rust-free for weeks. Herma reported a 15% reduction in coating lead times and a drop in rework rates from 22% to below 3%, supporting the completion of over 120 vessel projects in eight years.
The 2025 repeat order reflects evolving operational needs. With the Philippines enforcing new industrial dust emission standards (≤120mg/m³) in 2025, Herma sought to address both compliance and cost-efficiency gaps in traditional blasting. The addition of Kholee Blast’s 90kW vacuum recovery system enables 95% abrasive recycling (vs. 60% with manual methods), cutting single-vessel blasting costs by 28%.
Equipment: Tailored for Marine Industry Demands
9000CMH Air-Cooled Dehumidifier
Engineered for tropical marine environments, the unit combines robust performance with environmental responsibility:
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Core Specs: 9000m³/h air handling capacity, operating within +17°C~+40°C and ≤95% RH, delivering stable output at 25±3°C/≤45% RH.
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Marine-Grade Adaptability: Three units operate in tandem across Herma’s 17-hectare drydock, resisting northeast monsoon humidity. Mobile ducting systems target enclosed spaces like petrochemical tank cabins, meeting PSPC coating standard requirements for surface preparation (Sa 2.5 cleanliness, ≤50mg/m² soluble salts) .
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Efficiency: 12% lower energy consumption per cubic meter than competitors, aligning with Herma’s “green shipyard” initiative.
90kW Vacuum Recovery System
Designed for seamless integration with existing blasting operations:
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Technical Highlights: 90kW KFM high-pressure vacuum pump, cyclone separation system, 0.3μm dust filtration precision, and ≤85mg/m³ emission levels (exceeding GB 16297-1996 Class II standards).
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Operational Impact: Pit-mounted suction ports capture Steel Grit during hull weld cleaning, reducing dust exposure for 160+ workers. Recycled abrasives feed directly back to blasters, extending grit lifespan by 3x and cutting annual purchases by 60 tons.
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Flexibility: Containerized design enables deployment between workshops and drydocks without facility modifications.
Client Testimonial: Trust Built on Consistency
“Herma’s reputation depends on delivering vessels that meet global standards, even in challenging climates,” said the production director. “Kholee Blast’s dehumidifiers operated for eight years without major failures, eliminating weather-related delays. The new vacuum system solves our compliance and cost challenges in one go—this is partnership, not just procurement.”
Looking Ahead
The repeat order reinforces Kholee Blast’s position as a leading provider of marine-specific environmental control solutions. “Our equipment is engineered to address the unique pain points of tropical shipyards—high humidity, regulatory pressure, and operational efficiency,” noted a Kholee Blast spokesperson. “We’re proud to support Herma’s growth as the Philippines’ maritime industry leader.”
For technical specifications or partnership inquiries, contact Kholee Blast’s marine solutions team.
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