Finnish dynamic positioning systems manufacturer Navis Engineering has launched a Chinese language version of its NavDP4000 dynamic positioning system graphic user interface (GUI).
The step has been taken in reaction to increasing sales of Navis Engineering in China. Navis Engineering believes that the move will improve the safety of DP operations onboard the growing fleet of Chinese-flagged offshore vessels manned with Chinese-speaking crew.
As well as the GUI, the NavDP4000’s voice alarms have been translated into Chinese, further enhancing safety.
“Ever since we started working closely with Chinese shipyards in 2008, we have been aware of a problem of interaction with shipyard engineers on technical issues,” said Vladimir Antonenko, Project Director, Navis Engineering. “It has been an issue of language alone. We came to realize that this was a market reality that had to be accepted: the majority of shipyard staff and the crew of vessels under the flag of China are Chinese-speaking only and we had to adapt to this situation. Developing a Chinese language version of our DP GUI made perfect sense.”
Recent deliveries of the NavDP4000 to Chinese ship owners include a DP1 system installed on a suction hopper dredger ordered by CCCC Tianjin Dredging, DP1 systems for a series of 77 m long AHTS built at Zhejiang Jiantiao Shipyard and a DP1 system for a heavy lift vessel built at CCCC Bomesc Marine Industry Co., Ltd.