In 2010, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering firm Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) signed a contract with Brazilian shipyard Estaleiro Ilha S.A. (Eisa) for one GPA 462-10 OSRV, designed specifically to Petrobras requirements (OSRV 750-10). Later on, an order for an additional OSRV followed. Both vessels are currently under construction at EISA for the Brazilian offshore operator Astromaritima Navegacao S/A.
The 64-meter vessels are outfitted with a diesel-electric propulsion system comprised of Caterpillar and Berg Propulsion equipment. The system consists of two azimuthing drives, each rated for 1,700kW, and two bow thrusters, each rated for 448kW on the first vessel and approximately 600kW on the second vessel. The propulsors and bow thrusters will run on three Caterpillar generator sets each rated for 1,700kW. The electrical components of the propulsion system will be provided by WEG.
The use of a diesel-electric propulsion system creates valuable flexibilities, allowing for the maximization of cargo carrying capacities below deck, as the engine room is located above the main deck. This concept, pioneered by GPA several years ago, has been implemented on over 100 GPA-designed offshore vessels. Besides fresh water tanks (315 m³) permanent fuel oil tanks (489 m³) and day oil tanks (33.3 m³), these OSRVs will be capable of transporting a maximum of 800 m³ of recovered oil.
GPA’s designs are based on well-proven single-curvature hullforms and other construction methods simplifying the building process, such as flanged plate framing and transverse framing, which allowed GPA to offer a cost-effective solution to the highly competitive Brazilian market. “Well-designed hard-chined, single-curvature hulls can result in efficient operations and fuel savings. All of our offshore vessel designs, by now over 140 vessels in service or under construction, are based on these methods and have been extremely beneficial for operators worldwide,” says Paulina Alvarez, General Manager of GPA Latin America.
The GPA 462-10 OSRV, providing accommodations for 16 crew members and 6 passengers, will bear the class notation ABS +A1 Oil Recovery Vessel Class 1, +AMS, +DPS-1, FiFi 1, Enviro, Circle E.
These vessels, the first OSRVs GPA has designed for the offshore market, will be under an 8-year contract for Petrobras, operating in the Campos Basin fields in Brasil. “The recent event in the Gulf of Mexico once again demonstrated that the industry needs to be prepared. When risk turns to reality, the companies involved have to be capable of handling such spills. As a company that highly values environmentally friendly operations, GPA is very pleased to be involved in a project that would have a positive impact in case of another incident,” concludes Guido Perla, Chairman of GPA.