Where other suppliers failed, HARDO stepped in. We delivered complete Ex junction boxes for a German installer ITU Marine Systems. We provided a 3D design documentation to precisely tailor our product for use on LNG vessels and ensure full compliance with ATEX and IECEx standards.

In April 2025, we received an urgent request from ITU Marine Systems GmbH – a German company that has, over nearly 30 years, become synonymous with the highest quality standards in marine electrical installations.

Three LNG carriers were being constructed at the Lürssen Werft shipyard near Kiel, Germany, which required Ex-certified terminal boxes. ITU expected the order to be delivered within just 10 days.

To the surprise of ITU Marine Systems, not only did we meet the deadline, but we also delivered the entire order at once – even though the client had been prepared to split the shipment into two phases. We even managed a last-minute change in the delivery address while the shipment was already en route.

The challenge: tight deadline and strict compliance

Initial talks between ITU Marine Systems and local suppliers in Germany failed to yield results. While we don’t have all the details, it’s clear the project’s time restraints posed a significant challenge.

1. The equipment had to withstand harsh marine environments (with components made of stainless steel/nickel-plated brass, and enclosures certified for weather and UV resistance).
2. Both the components and enclosures needed to guarantee explosion protection, confirmed by ATEX and IECEx certification.

The client turned to us looking for an efficient partner that works without compromising on technical standards.

10 days for design, production and delivery: how do we do it at HARDO?

Given the tight project timeline at ITU Marine Systems, we classified the project as a rush order. However, an initial challenge appeared – we lacked full configuration data for the boxes. Fortunately, efficient communication with the client’s team allowed us to quickly fill in the gaps, significantly improving the overall project communication.

Here’s how we delivered this specialized project step-by-step:

Discovery phase, 3D design and approvals – all in rush mode

As soon as we received the inquiry, we prepared an urgent proposal that included terminal boxes made of GRP (a material resistant to UV and harsh weather) along with accessories, including:

• Ex-rated polyamide cable glands
• PA rails (custom-designed stainless steel brackets with nickel-plated brass rails) + BZ-type Ex-rated connection terminals
• Stainless steel DIN rails with Ex terminals (all mounted on spacers to allow cable routing beneath PA rails; larger boxes used reinforced rails for additional rigidity)

We also provided detailed technical documentation and 3D drawings for client approval.

Simultaneously, we performed thermal calculations to determine the appropriate temperature classification for the boxes and finalized implementation details such as:

• Type and layout of grounding rails
• Cable mounting methods
• Preferred language for warning labels
• Compliance with the client’s project documentation

Precision manufacturing: CNC, prefabrication, quality control

Once we received the order confirmation, we kicked off the production process. Based on the approved 3D designs, we prepared manufacturing documentation and generated CNC control files for machining.

This allowed us to precisely drill the boxes in line with project specifications.

The following stages included prefabrication of internal components:

• Installation of DIN and PA rails
• Use of corrosion-resistant materials – including stainless steel rails and nickel-plated brass PA rails
• Mounting DIN rails on spacers to create space for cable routing underneath

Each box was equipped with silicone gaskets, 316L stainless steel screws, and custom-made nameplates and warning labels.

After completing prefabrication, we carried out quality control and prepared the boxes for shipment.

Agile logistics: address change mid-transit? No problem!

Another challenge emerged mid-shipment – the delivery address changed. In such situations, it’s crucial to work with a flexible partner, especially when every day counts. In the end, the shipment arrived on time, delivered directly to the Lürssen Werft shipyard in Schacht-Audorf, Germany.

What sets us apart? Flexibility, quality and seamless logistics

he project for ITU Marine Systems GmbH demonstrated HARDO’s key strengths:

• operational flexibility – the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions and customer needs,
• high technical quality – designing solutions that comply with stringent Ex standards,
• efficient logistics organisation – even in the face of a last-minute change of delivery location.

We delivered the order exactly as requested, within just 10 days. HARDO’s Ex junction boxes met all technical requirements, and the shipment arrived on schedule despite the logistical changes.

This wasn’t our first successful rush order. A few months earlier, we produced a batch of junction boxes in just seven days for a production facility in Singapore, which had only a three-day maintenance window for installation.

Read more about how we handled the express delivery of Ex boxes to Singapore.