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Safe control of dust and metal chips

Shipyard Industrial Vacuum Solutions

In shipyards, dust, metal swarf, process residues, and welding fumes demand dependable, high-performance vacuum systems. Industrial vacuums built for marine environments work in challenging conditions—below deck and across open decks—to keep work areas clean, lower health risks, and streamline production.

Industrial Vacuums in Shipyards: Why They Matter

In a fast-moving, high-risk setting like shipbuilding, source-capture and continuous extraction let you control process waste in real time—chips, dust, and other residues—as well as airborne contaminants on surfaces and in the air.

Key benefits:

  • Protects equipment and critical systems;

  • Improves operator safety;

  • Supports regulatory compliance;

  • Shortens cleanups and reduces downtime.

 

Below are the primary applications for industrial vacuum systems across a shipyard.

applications

Industrial vacuums for ship plate welding fume extraction

In shipbuilding, steel plate is the primary material. It’s cut, formed, and bent to spec, then welded into the ship’s structure, with piping and electrical systems integrated afterward. Welding—manual or automated—produces hazardous fumes that need dedicated, point-of-weld extraction. Depureco’s XM Torch industrial vacuum is made for this: compact and easy to handle, it connects directly to the torch, is controlled from the welding power source, and helps maximize operator safety. area.

Industrial vacuums for sandblasting grit recovery

After welding, hull plates are abrasive-blasted to achieve the correct surface profile and prepare for coating. Metallic blasting media can be reclaimed and reused several times before disposal, but recovery requires high-vacuum collection. Three-phase industrial vacuums—such as the Puma and TX series with 3–20 kW turbines—provide the vacuum needed to capture even the heaviest grit. Paired with pre-separators featuring conveyed discharge, they enable efficient handling of large material volumes.

sandblasting

Industrial vacuums for painting & coating operations

After fabrication, welded steel plate assemblies are coated—typically by spray application using paints and solvents that may be flammable or toxic. In shipbuilding, epoxy coatings are common and critical for hulls, superstructures, cargo holds, tanks, and high-traffic decks. These steps generate overspray and hazardous particulate. To capture and contain them safely, deploy industrial vacuums with dual M/H-class filtration and an Endless Bag (continuous liner) collection system, which prevents direct contact with collected material.

Compressed-air industrial vacuums for power-free operation (ship launch)

Once the hull is structurally complete and watertight, the vessel is launched and moves into outfitting—installing cable runs, piping, electronics, insulation, and interiors. During this stage, onboard electrical power is often unavailable or unstable, so compressed-air (pneumatic) industrial vacuums are the preferred choice. Air-driven units provide reliable suction without electricity, offering a safe, effective way to remove dust and residues throughout outfitting. They’re available in a range of sizes and configurations to fit different shipyard tasks and constraints.

shipyard

Industrial vacuum solutions for shipbuilding

Why use industrial vacuums during shipyard operations? The right vacuum system is critical to keep crews safe, cut downtime, and protect equipment from harmful residues. Our industrial vacuums are engineered for the toughest conditions, from below-deck holds to open decks, delivering reliable, consistent performance.

To maximize efficiency and uptime, our shipyard lineup offers:

  •  High vacuum and high airflow for heavy debris (including metal chips) and fine dust.
  • Rugged, compact construction that’s easy to maneuver in confined spaces.
  • Single-phase, three-phase, and compressed-air models to match any area and power source.
  • Purpose-built accessories for high-reach cleaning and work inside tanks and holds.

 

Want help choosing the right vacuum solution? Get in touch with our team.

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