Marine Laundry
medium
3 models total
Marine laundry equipment has to run the same heavy-duty wash and dry cycles as a shore-based commercial laundry, but on a fixed supply of ship-generated fresh water, in a machine bolted down against roll and pitch that a landside laundry never has to survive.
Read more — Marine Laundry explained ▾
What sets marine laundry equipment apart
A washing machine or dryer built for a ship is not simply a commercial unit dropped into a steel room. It has to run on the ship's own fresh water and, usually, steam or electrical heat rather than mains gas, hold its footing and door seal through continuous roll and pitch, and keep working with the harder or more variable water quality some ships make from their evaporators. Crew laundry runs day after day, so downtime is not an inconvenience, it is a hygiene and morale problem within days.
Main components
- Washer-extractor — combines wash and high-speed spin extraction in one drum, reducing the moisture load the dryer then has to remove.
- Tumble dryer — steam-heated or electric, with a lint filter and exhaust ducting that has to be kept clear as a fire-prevention item.
- Calender or flatwork ironer — used mainly on passenger ships for bed linen and tablecloths at volumes a domestic iron could never handle.
- Water and steam supply system — fresh water connection sized against the ship's daily production capacity, plus a steam or electric heating circuit for both the washer and the dryer.
- Anti-vibration mounting — machines are through-bolted to the deck with mounts rated for the out-of-balance forces a high-speed extraction cycle generates in a seaway.
Selection and sizing
Capacity is set by crew complement and, on passenger ships, by guest laundry and linen turnover, expressed in kilograms of dry laundry the equipment needs to process per day. Fresh water and steam consumption per cycle matter as much as drum size, since both draw on limited ship-generated resources shared with accommodation and galley demand. Electrical load also needs checking against the ship's available supply, particularly for dryers on ships without spare steam capacity.
Typical faults
| Fault | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Lint filter and dryer ducting not cleaned regularly | Restricted airflow raises fire risk and extends drying time. |
| Anti-vibration mounts worn or loosened | Excessive vibration transmits into the deck structure and accelerates bearing wear. |
| Door seal degraded on the washer-extractor | Water leaks during the wash cycle, and high-speed spin can become unbalanced. |
| Steam trap on the dryer or ironer failing | Wet steam reaches the heating coil, cutting drying efficiency and wasting fresh water condensate. |
What to look for in a supplier
- Confirmed marine-duty rating for vibration and roll tolerance, not a shore-based commercial model adapted after the fact.
- Water and steam or electrical consumption figures per cycle, checked against what the ship can actually supply.
- Spares availability for door seals, bearings, and lint filters, the parts that wear fastest under daily heavy use.
- Compatibility with the ship's existing fresh water quality, particularly where evaporator-made water runs harder or softer than shore supply.
Keep the dryer ducting on the same cleaning schedule as any other fire-risk item on board — a blocked lint trap is one of the more common, and more preventable, sources of an engine-room-adjacent fire.
2 manufacturers · 3 models
Electrolux Professional Marine
2
Marine Washer W5240H
24 kg load
· 8.0 kW
· Laundry Services
· front-load marine washer
Power (kW)
8
Type
Marine Washing Machine
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Bearing failure from vibration
- Door gasket leakage
- Drain pump blockage
- Control board corrosion
Service: Bolt-down installation for sea conditions. Clean drain filter weekly. Check door gasket monthly. Bearing replacement every 10000 cycles.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Electrolux Professional oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Robust bolt‑down installation designed for sea conditions
- High 8 kW motor provides fast wash cycles for crew/passenger linens
- Scheduled maintenance points (filter, gasket, bearing) are clearly defined
- Compact footprint suitable for limited shipboard laundry spaces
- Bearing life rated up to 10 000 wash cycles
Weaknesses
- Bearings prone to vibration‑induced failure if not monitored
- Door gasket can develop leaks without monthly inspection
- Drain pump may become blocked by lint or debris
- Control board corrosion reported in high‑humidity zones
- Requires regular maintenance (weekly filter clean, monthly gasket check)
Typical Vessels:
Cruise shipFerryOffshore supply vesselNaval auxiliary shipLarge yacht
Decision Guide: Choose if you need a high‑capacity, sea‑rated washer that can be securely bolted down and you have the ability to perform routine maintenance (filter cleaning, gasket inspection, bearing replacement). Avoid if your operation cannot guarantee regular upkeep or operates in extremely corrosive environments without additional protective measures.
Use Cases: Installed in crew quarters and passenger cabin laundry rooms on cruise liners, ferries, offshore platforms, and naval support vessels where reliable, fast washing of linens is required under ship motion.
Marine Dryer T5550
37 kg load
· 15.0 kW
· Laundry Services
· electric tumble dryer
Power (kW)
15
Type
Marine Tumble Dryer
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Lint filter blockage (fire risk)
- Heating element burnout
- Belt snap
- Exhaust duct blockage
Service: CLEAN LINT FILTER AFTER EVERY CYCLE — fire risk. Check exhaust duct for blockage monthly. Inspect belt annually.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Electrolux Professional oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Marine‑grade stainless steel cabinet resists saltwater corrosion
- Integrated lint filter with clear service interval reduces fire risk
- Low‑vibration belt drive suitable for installation on moving vessels
- High thermal efficiency helps limit shipboard power consumption
- Simple mechanical design allows annual belt inspection and easy part replacement
Weaknesses
- 15 kW power demand can be high for vessels with limited electrical capacity
- Belt‑drive may wear and require periodic replacement compared to direct‑drive units
- Drum capacity is modest, limiting throughput on high‑volume laundry operations
- Exhaust duct must be inspected monthly to avoid blockage and fire hazard
- Lacks advanced electronic controls found on newer smart dryer models
Typical Vessels:
Cruise ShipFerryOffshore Supply VesselNaval AuxiliaryPassenger Yacht
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a compact, corrosion‑resistant dryer for crew or passenger laundry on vessels with sufficient electrical supply and prefer straightforward mechanical maintenance. Avoid if: your vessel has strict power limits, requires very high drying capacity, or you want advanced electronic monitoring and direct‑drive reliability.
Use Cases: Typically installed in crew‑accommodation or passenger‑cabin laundry rooms on cruise ships, ferries, offshore support vessels, and naval auxiliaries where space is limited and marine durability is essential. Used for daily turnover of linens, uniforms, and small‑batch passenger clothing.
Miele Marine
1
Marine Ironer HM Series
30-50 kg/hr
· 18.0 kW
· Laundry Services
· roller ironer
Power (kW)
18
Type
Marine Roller Ironer
Common Failures & Inspection Points
- Roller bearing wear
- Heating element failure
- Feed belt wear
- Safety guard switch malfunction
Service: Industrial ironer for ship linen. Clean roller surface daily. Check safety guards before operation.
Spare Parts: Ersatzteile über Miele oder zugelassene Vertriebspartner. Lead time: 2-6 Wochen.
Strengths
- Relatively low power demand (18 kW) suitable for medium‑size vessels
- Compact design fits limited laundry spaces on board
- Integrated safety guard switch meets basic maritime safety requirements
- Easy daily maintenance – roller surface can be cleaned quickly
- Proven Miele build quality with marine‑grade corrosion protection
Weaknesses
- Roller bearing wear reported after extended use, requiring periodic inspection
- Heating element failures can occur and need spare parts on board
- Feed belt wear demands regular replacement intervals
- Safety guard switch may malfunction if not inspected before each shift
- Capacity limited compared with larger belt‑type ironers for high‑volume operations
Typical Vessels:
Cruise shipFerryOffshore supply vesselNaval auxiliaryLarge passenger liner
Decision Guide: Choose if: you need a compact, 18 kW roller ironer for medium‑volume linen pressing on vessels with limited laundry space and can commit to regular bearing, belt and heating element maintenance. Avoid if: the ship requires very high throughput, minimal downtime, or you prefer an ironer with longer service intervals and higher capacity.
Use Cases: Installed in the onboard laundry department of passenger‑oriented ships to press crew uniforms, guest linens, tablecloths and other textile items where a crisp finish is required for hospitality standards.