Dynamic Positioning Technology News

The first monopile and transition piece have been installed at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the U.K. North Sea, marking a key milestone for the construction of the world's largest offshore wind farm.The foundations, designed by Wood Thilsted, are up to 72m in length, weigh on average 1057 tonnes and include the world’s largest 8m offshore wind flange. The design includes the world’s first split-level transition piece for safe installation and operation, with installation works being led by Seaway 7 with support from DEME.Paul Cooley…

Reygar announced that its BareFLEET remote monitoring system is now in use on 100 vessels worldwide. The growth is in step with a general migration to digital solutions across the maritime sector, and the milestone is punctuated as Reygar expands its control system capabilities across dynamic positioning, autonomous vessels and consultancy, with two new engineering hires and a larger premises in Bristol: James Cook and Richard Crowder. Cook joins the business from Rolls Royce…

Kongsberg Maritime said it has won contracts worth approximately 300 million NOK ($32 million) to equip three adventure cruise ships, with a fourth to follow, for Portuguese cruise company Mystic Cruises.Built by WestSea Viana Shipyard in Portugal, the vessels are to be used for expeditions in the polar regions.The 126-meter, 9,300-metric-ton luxury craft will join an existing trio of sister ships to bring the fleet to seven identical vessels, the first of which – World Explorer – entered service in 2019.

As the offshore oil and gas industry continues to rebound, so will the demand for dynamic positioning technology and services. The annual Dynamic Positioning Conference provides an annual forum for discussion and for exchange of knowledge, experience, new technology and technical know-how associated with the use, evolving technology and application of dynamic positioning. Each year, the conference continues to attract DP professionals from around the world as well as DP manufacturers and service companies who will be exhibiting their products and services.

DNV GL presented its new standard for assessing the station keeping capability of DP (dynamic positioning) vessels at the European Dynamic Positioning Conference in London. The ability to assess and compare the position-keeping capability of a ship equipped with dynamic positioning technology is vital during the planning and design phases, and provides valuable operational decision support. The DNVGL-ST-0111 standard is the first to provide a unified approach to these assessments, ensuring verifiable results and increasing transparency in the market. “In the past few years many in the industry had been calling for a new standard that could account for advances in technology and provide reliable data to support owners…

ABB informs it has ordered a cable-laying vessel from Kleven shipyard in Norway. The new ship, scheduled to be delivered in 2017, will be custom-built to ABB specifications and measure approximately 140 by 30 meters. “This next-generation vessel incorporating state-of-the-art ABB technologies will be a key differentiator for our high-voltage cable business, enhancing flexibility and execution ability,” said Claudio Facchin, president of ABB’s Power Systems division. The vessel is of SALT 306 CLV design from Salt Ship Design in Stord, Norway. The new ship will deploy many of ABB’s marine technologies. The Onboard DC Grid and power distribution solution, for instance, will use a single DC circuit for ship propulsion to reduce power consumption.

Wärtsilä Corporation announced that its acquisition of the Germany based L-3 Marine Systems International (MSI) has been finalized and control of the company will be transferred to Wärtsilä with effect from June 1, 2015. In December 2014, Wärtsilä announced that agreement had been reached to acquire MSI from NYSE-listed L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. using financing from existing cash resources and credit facilities. The transaction is valued at MEUR 285 (enterprise value). After estimated adjustments of cash, working capital, and pension liabilities, the purchase price is estimated to be MEUR 295. The final purchase price will be determined based on closing accounts. The acquisition received Korean merger control clearance in March and EU clearance in April.

Wärtsilä Corporation is to acquire L-3 Marine Systems International from NYSE-listed L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. L-3 Marine Systems International (L-3 MSI) is a business sector within L-3’s Electronic Systems business segment primarily focused on the commercial ship industry. The transaction is valued at MEUR 285 (enterprise value), subject to customary adjustments including an estimated reduction of MEUR 60 for L-3 MSI employee pension-related liabilities to be assumed by Wärtsilä Corporation. Financing for the deal will be from existing cash resources and credit facilities. The acquisition is subject to clearance from the regulatory authorities. The acquisition is expected to be closed during the second quarter of 2015.

KONGSBERG has introduced a new student project called 'Zeppaloon' which provides students with the opportunity to resolve a complex technological task during the summer months of 2014. The assignment for the 'Zeppaloon' project is to develop a scaled unmanned airship to simulate the dynamic positioning technology that KONGSBERG uses to operate offshore vessels in challenging conditions. The challenge involves developing a prototype with sub systems such as; software, sensors and reference systems, thruster and power management and control algorithms.

Shipowner and operator Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Ltd. (SPO) welcomes another new anchor handling tug supply vessel, Pacific Dispatchto its fleet with her launch and naming ceremony. This vessel is built by Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd. (ST Marine) shipyard in Singapore. More than 100 representatives from SPO and ST Marine attended the event, held at the shipyard of ST Marine. The launch and naming ceremony was graced by Lady Sponsor, Mrs. Ofelia J. Villanueva…

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) reports that its marine arm, ST Marine, has won two shipbuilding contracts worth about $60m from Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Ltd (SPO), a wholly owned subsidiary of Swire Pacific Limited. These contracts to build and outfit two Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessels, measuring 92m by 22m, are in addition to the existing shipbuilding contract with SPO, announced in June 2011 for four AHTS vessels. For these contracts, SPO will supply a larger proportion of the major equipment for ST Marine’s integration and installation. Construction will commence in 2013. These two AHTS will adopt the latest Dynamic Positioning technology and will be Special Purpose Ship 2008 compliant.

Crowley Maritime Corporation's vessel construction boom is continuing with its recent order of two additional high-bollard-pull Ocean Class tugboats from Bollinger Shipyards. The latest contract brings the number of new 10,880-horsepower tugs being constructed for Crowley to four, and adds to the more than $1b the company is investing in new tugs, high-capacity barges and articulated tug barge tank vessels (ATBs). The new tugs, Ocean Sun and Ocean Sky, will join the Ocean Wave and Ocean Wind in the Crowley fleet over the next two-and-a-half years. Ideally suited to work with Crowley's new 455 series heavy deck strength barges…

Oil and gas specialists Integrated Subsea Services (ISS) will deliver the latest versions of ROVs. newly launched Triton XLX ROVs, manufactured by Perry Slingsby Systems (PSS). allows navigation data to direct the ROV. surface vessels, has been available for subsea projects. six video windows simultaneously, the XLX can connect up to 24 input signals at any given time. very latest multi-image display system, taking ROV pilot interface to the next level. power and data interfaces supporting RS232, 485, GOB ethernet, PECL and HDTV.

The Dynamic Positioning Committee of the Marine Technology Society will hold its Annual Conference on September 16-17. The Conference will be held at the Westchase Hilton in West Houston, September 16-17, 2003. Based on the number and very high quality of abstracts submitted this year, the Conference Committee expects this to be an extremely technically strong conference. Topics include papers on environmental issues related to DP operations, new technology especially in sensors, DP applied to FPSO and shuttle tankers, workboats, thrusters, power and controls. The original material covered at the Conference will be of interest to both past conference attendees and newcomers, and particularly DP vessel operators, including supply, dive, drilling, shuttle tanker, FPSO and pipelay vessels.

Tidewater Inc., has taken delivery of the M/V Vickie Tide, a 175-ft. fast supply vessel. The Vickie Tide, constructed by C&G Shipyard of Mobile, Ala., is the first of a new class of vessel designed by Tidewater that can carry liquid mud below deck, dry bulk and cargo on deck while traveling at speeds in excess of 20 knots. The Vickie Tide has four Cummins KTA-50 engines and is outfitted with a dynamic positioning technology. The vessel’s clear deck space is 20 ft. wide and 100 ft. long and carry up to 36 passengers. Three more sister vessels are currently under construction at C&G with planned deliveries throughout the remainder of 2003.

Bourbon has ordered for two Multi Purpose Supply Vessels (MPSV) from Socarenam, the French shipyard based in Boulogne-sur-Mer. The design of these vessels is based on a concept established by Marine Assistance, and will be developed by the consultant firm Bureau Mauric. "This order for two high-tech Multi Purpose Supply Vessels from a recognized French shipyard reflects our desire to offer our customers high-performance multi-purpose vessels combined with an excellent cost/delivery deadline ratio in line with our Horizon 2010 strategic plan,” said Christian Lefèvre, Executive Vice President and COO, Bourbon. “This contract is proof that French and European naval shipyards can be competitive and offer a solid performance.