The Largest Intake Grilles For Port Of Brisbane

October 21, 2020

Brad Marsden

Director - Marine Air Flow International

35 Years Experience in the Marine Industry

Our Largest Air Intake Grilles For Port Of Brisbane

We recently delivered a project to the Port of Brisbane for their trailing suction hopper dredge the "Brisbane" (aptly named). As part of the engine room ventilation system supplied, we manufactured a set of air intake grilles that were over 2100mm on the shortest side. They were in fact almost square which is rare for an intake grille, however the size and shape was designed and calculated to service the air requirements for this massive dredge.

Along with the grilles, additional equipment in the system included Coalescing fabric and frame to suit the grilles, stainless steel air dampers, fans and duct adaptors. While our team manufactured these monster grilles, it was up to Joel our store person to work out how we were actually going to get them to the Port.

While we usually freight all our products, as this project was so close to home we had told the client we would in fact deliver it ourselves. There were discussions of hire vehicles and extra trailers when Brad came up with the idea to remove the carry rack on our own truck which solved the challenge in one foul swoop.

Massive air intake grilles destined for the Port of Brisbane Ferry

Grilles with coalescing filter frames

You can see the filter frames complete with coalescing filter fabric and security mesh for the purpose of ensuring the fabric is held in place.

Front Grille Face

As this grille was so large, we manufactured it in 3 sections. This ensures the vane won't flex and that the grille will work at its most effective level for its lifespan.

The "BRISBANE" - a hopper dredge owned by the Port Of Brisbane, now with MAFI engine room ventilation equipment.

The Brisbane hopper dredge with MAFI air intake grilles

Info on the boat and project

BRISBANE dredge info:

84 m
3600 T
designed and built by NQEA in Cairns 2000
total engines 4420 Kw (aprox 5750 Hp)
2 x single stage intake separator grilles ea aprox 2250 x 2250 - capable of 17 m3/sec of air per grille

A regular challenge for this style of vessel is air borne mist laden with mud that would not only cause significant engine room corrosion, but also create considerable mess and additional maintenance expenses.

The use of removable fabric particulate filters at the Intake Separator Grille face allows that the filters can easily be visually monitored and exchanged with a spare set. The dirty filters are easily hand washed using a low pressure deck hose with either salt or fresh water is fine. The filters can even be replaced while still wet if there are no fresh spares available.

All MAFI grilles are designed and manufactured from high grade marine alloy extrusion & assembled and welded 100% with no dissimilar metals or fixings. This prevents premature corrosion, significantly improving the service life of the product.

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56 Meter RORO Ferries Project For Abu Dhabi

By Brad Marsden • June 10, 2025

Optimising Engine Room Ventilation for Abu Dhabi’s High-Speed Ro-Pax Ferries As part of Abu Dhabi’s ongoing investment in advanced maritime infrastructure, the AD Ports Group commissioned two high-speed Ro-Ro ferries to operate between the UAE mainland and Delma Island. Carrying 250 passengers and 25 cars per trip at a service speed of over 30 Knots is pretty impressive , and you'd have to agree they are certainly very tidy looking Roll On Roll Off Ferries!! Designed for both passenger comfort and operational performance, these cutting-edge vessels required a ventilation solution that could meet the rigorous demands of the Gulf’s climate and the intense operating conditions of four powerful MTU engines per vessel. Our team was proud to be selected to design and deliver the engine room ventilation system for these state-of-the-art ferries, ensuring they remain safe, efficient, and reliable at sea. Engineering the Future of Fast Ferry Travel Built to carry up to 194 passengers and 25 vehicles, each of the 56-metre-long catamarans has been equipped with four MTU 16V4000M65L high-performance engines driving Kongsberg KaMeWa waterjets. This powerful propulsion setup enables cruising speeds of up to 35 knots, making the ferries among the fastest in their class within the region. Inside, the vessels feature modern amenities such as a VIP lounge, children’s play area, two cafes, five toilets, and full wheelchair accessibility, highlighting AD Ports Group’s commitment to both efficiency and passenger experience. Operating in the heat of the Persian Gulf, however, presents unique engineering challenges. The heart of this lies within the engine room where temperatures, airflow, and safety systems must be tightly controlled to prevent overheating, ensure compliance, and protect both crew and machinery. A Tailored Ventilation Solution for Demanding Conditions The brief for this project was clear: create a ventilation system that could not only manage the extreme thermal loads generated by four high-output marine engines but also comply with international marine safety standards, including fire isolation and redundancy protocols. Key features of the system we delivered include: Marine-Grade Ventilation Dampers : Built from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, our dampers are designed for longevity and reliability in a saltwater environment. Integrated Auto Close Capability : The dampers are configured to close rapidly in the event of a fire, helping to isolate the engine room and restrict oxygen supply. High Airflow Capacity : Designed specifically for the compact, high-output layout of the engine rooms, the system allows for maximum airflow and heat dissipation under full load. Moisture and Salt Mist Defence: Our Intake grilles are known globally for their excellent capability of reducing salt mist and spray into your engine room. Here they allow a vessel operating in already extreme conditions to require far less ongoing equipment replacement. Redundancy & Safety : With automated control options and manual overrides, the system ensures continuous operation and safety during engine shutdowns or emergencies. Delivering Results at Sea With the ventilation system now fully installed and operational, the Ro-Pax ferries have successfully completed sea trials and are ready to begin service. The performance of the engine room ventilation under load has exceeded expectations, maintaining optimal operating temperatures even during high-speed runs in the peak Gulf heat. In addition to thermal performance, the system’s fire isolation capability offers an added layer of safety, helping these ferries meet stringent international compliance standards while delivering peace of mind for operators and passengers alike. Reflecting on the Project This project underscores the critical importance of high-performance ventilation systems in modern vessel design. From the intense thermal loads of multi-engine configurations to the need for rapid fire response and corrosion resistance, every detail matters when it comes to marine safety and reliability. We’re proud to have played a key role in supporting this milestone for AD Ports Group and Abu Dhabi’s maritime future and we look forward to bringing this level of engineering excellence to future vessel builds across the region and beyond. Talk to Us About Your Marine Ventilation Needs Whether you’re designing a new-build high-speed ferry or retrofitting an existing vessel, we offer tailored ventilation solutions that combine safety, efficiency, and performance. Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can support your next marine engineering project.