Metso has been awarded major automation system contracts for 3 advanced vessels to be built in Finland. One contract is for 2 Multifunctional Icebreaking Supply Vessels (MIBSV) by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Oy for Russian Sovcomflot. The second is a Multipurpose Deck Cargo Carrier by STX Finland Oy for Finnish Gaiamare Ltd. belonging to Turku based Meriaura Group.
The MIBSV’s are designated for the Sakhalin-1 Arkutun-Dagi gas field and will be used as supply vessels for the Exxon Neftegas Ltd gas platform. They are designed for the harsh environmental conditions in the Sakhalin area with drifting ice and temperatures down to minus 35°C. The vessels’ main task is to transport personnel, supplies and storage materials to the platform, protect the platform from ice, escorting ships in ice conditions, oil spill containment operations, fire fighting and ocean towage of platforms and other large installations. Both vessels will be similar and measure 99.2 m in length and 21.7 m in width. Deadweight will be 3.950 tonnes. Four diesel generators will provide a total power output of 18 MW where the electric propulsion system will consume up to 13MW. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery end 2012 - early 2013.
The Metso DNA Integrated Automation System (IAS) handles control, alarm and monitoring functions in the vessel’s machinery and liquid / bulk cargo spaces. The vessel’s power plant is fully managed by Metso DNA Power Management System.
The Multipurpose Deck Cargo Carrier is an innovative and versatile vessel designed for transportation of large steel fabrications, such as offshore and wind farm structures. It is also suitable for transporting energy wood in the Baltic Sea region. The vessel is A1 ice classed and includes double acting ship mode meaning it will run ahead in open waters and astern in ice. Another important design feature is the ability to operate as an oil spill recovery vessel. The ship has 2.700m3 oil spill tank capacity and can carry versatile oil spill recovery equipment on its deck. The environmental friendly vessel has an efficient low carbon diesel electric propulsion system and is designed to use bio-oils as alternative fuel. The ship length is 105 m and width 19m. Handover of the vessel to owner is mid May 2012.
For this vessel Metso DNA system handles control, alarm and monitoring of the machinery plant including controller loops, control and standby functions for pumps, fan controls and the management of the diesel electric power plant.
For all these vessels Metso DNA automation system includes the DNA Operate user friendly multifunctional operator stations, redundant fibre optic communication network, redundant process controllers with main and reserve in different locations all enhancing the system reliability and availability, Metso DNA Historian information management system that provides versatile analysing and reporting tools for optimization of e.g. machinery performance and fuel consumption, LCD touch panels in accommodation for Unattended Machinery Sailing (UMS) mode alarm announcement, and finally a dead man alarm system for machinery spaces.
Further, Metso has a contract for an automation system delivery to a cruise ship being constructed at a European shipyard for a reputable owner.
Ship automation since the early 80s
The Metso marine group is established in Norway to further develop and execute Metso’s strategic focus and services in the ship automation market. The group has engineering resources with broad automation competence for machinery, power plant and air-conditioning systems on board ships. Metso’s marine automation solutions fit all types of ships and complexities, from crude oil carriers to passenger ferries, cruise liners, offshore supply and oil & gas processing vessels. Ship automation systems from Metso have a long history. Ship automation systems started in the early 80’s with Damatic Classic and has developed through to today’s Metso DNA. Majority of these installations are for advanced ship types, such as cruise liners. In particular, redundancy features and high product quality that guarantee undisturbed and safe ship operations have contributed to the success story of Metso’s automation systems.
The first delivery of a Metso automation system to a ship was in 1983 and until today several hundred ships have been equipped with a Metso automation system.