Hipap News

Kongsberg to Equip Three Polish Navy Warships with Hugin AUVs

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract award with Polish shipbuilder Remontowa Shipbuilding SA (RSB) to supply three shipsets of Kongsberg Hugin Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems and related HiPAP positioning and communication systems for three newbuild warships for the Polish Navy.The total contract value exceeds €10 million, with the Kongsberg equipment planned for the next three ships in the Kormoran II Mine-Countermeasures (MCM) vessel program (#4, #5, and #6).These three ships will be delivered between 2026 and 2027.

Kongsberg Inks First Deal for HUGIN Superior

Kongsberg Maritime reports it has signed the first contract for the new HUGIN Superior 6,000-meter rated autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV).According to its manufacturer, the HUGIN Superior, introduced to the market in December 2018, is engineered to provide significantly enhanced data, positioning and endurance capabilities while building on the proven track record of the HUGIN AUVs. The complete AUV system will be delivered in DNV certified offshore containers along with a…

Kongsberg to Equip Belgian Research Vessel

Kongsberg Maritime will deliver an integrated suite of subsea technology to a new Belgian research vessel. Already under construction at Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, the advanced new replacement for the Belgian research vessel RV Belgica is due to be handed over to the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) in October 2020.Launched in 1984, RV Belgica carried out many years of service, however, emerging mechanical issues in 2013 catalyzed plans to build her replacement.

Vroon Offshore Vessel Undergoes Modification Work

Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf has completed final outfitting and modifications on a second subsea-support walk-to-work (W2W) vessel for Vroon Offshore Services (VOS). VOS Stone was built at Fujian Southeast Shipbuilding in China before coming to the Netherlands for completion. This follows a similar project successfully completed in July this year at Oranjewerf, involving sister ship VOS Start. The eight-week program for VOS Stone involved a wide range of activities, including installation of a 50-tonne active heave-compensated…

Vroon W2W Vessel Upgraded ahead of First Charter

VOS Start, Vroon BV’s first DP2, subsea-support, walk-to-work (W2W) vessel has departed Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf following the installation of a first of its kind motion-compensated gangway system by Barge Master and Bosch Rexroth, the extended installation of a Kongsberg reference system (including a ‘windfarm module’), and an active heave-compensated crane from SMST. The 80m VOS Start arrived at Oranjewerf on June 1 from her build yard in China, staying for eight weeks in the yard to also undergo various other upgrades and preparations for her first project…

Dive Support Vessel Delivered in Brazil

Oceanicasub V, the second of a pair of 43m Monohull Subsea Dive Support Vessels (SDSV), has been delivered for owner and operater Oceanica of Rio de Janeiro for charter by Petrobras. Oceanicasub V was constructed by Arpoador Shipyard in Guaruja’, Brazil. The design is the culmination of a close collaboration by the designer Incat Crowther, builder and operator. The RINA-classed vessel is equipped for a crew complement of 36 and features an array of dive support equipment including deck crane, ROV A-frame, dive bell A-frame, hyperbaric chamber, HIPAP, rescue/workboat with associated davit and all necessary dive operations related spaces and equipment.

Two New Builds Delivered to Subsea 7

Offshore engineering, construction and services company Subsea 7 said it has taken delivery two new builds: a heavy construction flex-lay vessel Seven Arctic and dive support vessel Seven Kestrel, completing its substantial fleet investment program that has added six newly constructed vessels to its fleet since 2014. Designed to meet the demands of deep water and harsh environments, including both tropical and winter conditions, Lloyd's Register classed Seven Arctic is capable of working at depths of 3…

Arpoador Shipyard and Pre-salt FSVs

Logistics hubs and Fast Supply Vessels will be key assets in the complex offshore transport solution Petrobras has devised for moving workers and goods, to and from Brazil’s remote pre-salt plays. Here is a look at a modern local shipyards building the heavy-duty aluminum vessels, with overall lengths ranging from over 30 meters to around 50 meters. Claudio Paschoa, Maritime Reporter’s correspondent in Brazil spoke to Flavio Santarelli, Arpoador Shipyard’s Director of Operations. The logistics involved in transporting supplies and people to the production FPSOs located as far as 300km offshore has been daunting. Offshore logistics hubs…

Kongsberg Tech for Peruvian Arctic Research Vessel

Kongsberg Maritime has been chosen to deliver an integrated subsea technology systems package including two HUGIN Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) for a new Peruvian Navy Hydrographic & Oceanographic research vessel. The 97 meter BAP Carrasco’is built at Construcciones Navales P. Freire shipyard in Vigo, Spain. The advanced new research ship will have Polar capability and be classified with PC7 notation to perform research in Peruvian waters, in order to fulfill Peru’s commitment under the Antarctic Treaty.

Hydroacoustic Package for Norwegian Icebreaker

The new RV Kronprins Haakon, the first Norwegian Icebreaker built for Polar research, and the first purpose built polar research vessel since Roald Amundsen’s Maud launched in 1917, will start regular science cruises in 2017 with a complete hydroacoustic systems package from Kongsberg Maritime. Builder Fincantieri has selected a combined delivery of Kongsberg Maritime survey technology, including a wide range of Simrad scientific research systems for the Kronprins Haakon. Kongsberg Maritime will also supply an extensive K-Bridge system…

DP System Donated to NTNU Research Vessel

Kongsberg Maritime has donated and installed a K-Pos Dynamic Positioning System aboard the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) owned R/V Gunnerus research vessel. The donation and KONGSBERG’s continued support of the University was recognized at a VIP ceremony at the NTNU in Trondheim, Norway, yesterday (14th April 2015). In operation for NTNU since 2006, R/V Gunnerus is equipped with the latest technology for a variety of research activities within biology, technology, geology, archaeology, oceanography and fisheries.

Kongsberg Technology for Pioneering Spirit

Following its inauguration ceremony in Rotterdam on February 27, 2015, Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit will start its first job offshore Norway this summer with an integrated Dynamic Positioning (DP) and manoeuvring system based on state-of-the art Kongsberg Maritime technology. The Kongsberg Maritime delivery includes forward and aft bridge systems in addition to an extensive automation network and the HiPAP subsea position reference system. Eight years in the making, Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit single-lift vessel is the largest construction vessel in the world.

Pile Testing for Wikinger Wind Farm Launched

In October 2014 the first phase of the pile testing campaign for the Wikinger offshore wind farm project was launched after the site’s geotechnical investigation on the Baltic Sea had been completed. German engineering and services group Bilfinger was awarded the test pile contract and chose SAL Heavy Lift as subcontractor to transport and install the test piles and equipment with their DP Class II vessel MV Lone. Test objectives are to confirm the design of the wind farm foundations by testing the performance of the piles against static…

Thoma-Sea Launches Two TAI Designed Ships

Technology Associates, Inc. (TAI) of New Orleans, La., announced that two derivatives of vessels built from TAI’s EnviroMax designs were both launched this week. Another EnviroMax OSV built from its design was also delivered a week earlier. Thoma-Sea Shipbuilders, has launched the Regulus, a DP 2, FiFi I Offshore Supply Vessel from its Houma, La. shipyard on May 27. The 272' OSV was built to service deep water oil and gas exploration. The vessel has two 2,000 kW Z-drives and two 850kw bow thrusters powered by a total installed power of 7.35 MW.

U.S. Navy's AGOR 27: R/V Neil Armstrong

On March 29, the Ocean Class Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) vessel hull number 27 started its official life as the R/V Neil Armstrong, the first research vessel named after a space explorer. Carol Armstrong, the widow of the famed astronaut, performed the christening duties during a brief sunbreak on a windy and rainy Pacific Northwest afternoon. The number of illustrious speakers highlighted the rich diversity of agencies involved in the design, construction and operation of the vessel.

Offshore Surveyor Training: Kongsberg's New Workboat

Kongsberg Maritime says it has introduced a series of new on-water training courses for offshore surveyors and survey engineers following the launch of its own chartered vessel, 'True North'. The vessel will enable Kongsberg Maritime Ltd to introduce a practical element to the courses already offered at its training centre in Westhill, Aberdeen, on the company's products for the offshore survey industry. True North, which works out of Stonehaven just a few miles from the training centre, will initially support courses on the HiPAP (High Precision Acoustic Positioning) system. The vessel, which has been customised to Kongsberg Maritime's specifications, will enable attendees to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom.

Kongsberg Technology Chosen for 10 Petrobas Newbuilds

Kongsberg Maritime inform it has been contracted to deliver substantial technology packages for ten new pipelaying vessels ordered by Brazilian multinational energy corporation, Petrobras. In contracts valued approx. NOK 118 Million, the scope of supply includes Kongsberg Maritime's leading offshore vessel technology including Dynamic Positioning (DP), position reference systems, propulsion control and automation. Six 550-tonne laying tension capacity pipelayers will be built at IHC Merwede in The Netherlands for delivery in 2015 and 2016.

Kongsberg to Equip 10 Newbuild Pipelayers

Kongsberg Maritime has been chosen to deliver substantial technology packages for ten new pipelaying vessels ordered by Brazilian multinational energy corporation, Petrobras. In contracts valued approx. NOK 118 Million, the scope of supply includes Kongsberg Maritime’s offshore vessel technology including Dynamic Positioning (DP), position reference systems, propulsion control and automation. Six 550-tonne laying tension capacity pipelayers will be built at IHC Merwede in The Netherlands for delivery in 2015 and 2016. Three of the vessels, for Subsea 7, are identical designs to the recently launched ‘Seven Waves’, and will feature the same K-POS DP22 dual redundant DP system including HiPAP acoustic positioning system and other position reference systems from Kongsberg Maritime.

Kongsberg Delivers 50th HAIN System

Kongsberg Maritime has delivered its 50th HAIN (Hydro Acoustic aided Inertial Navigation) Reference System, to long-time HAIN user, Ocean Rig. HAIN significantly improves reference data accuracy and update rate sent to Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems to support safer, more reliable and efficient offshore drilling operation. It is also suitable for applications including offshore loading and specialist operations such as offshore construction. Ocean Rig is an international offshore drilling contractor providing oilfield services for offshore oil and gas exploration…

The Drawing Board: Innovative OSV Design from the Ground up

The offshore market continues to be a significant driver for marine innovation, as vessels and their operators are critical factors to ensure that offshore operations – increasingly conducted in deeper, more hostile waters further from shore – are conducted in a safe and efficient manner. Here Maritime Reporter examines some notable recent designs, developments and deliveries. Eastern Shipbuilding Group, which has been extremely busy of late in the offshore sector, delivered M/V HOS Red Rock (Hull 202) to Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC.

New Jaya Multi-Purpose Platform Supply Vessel Delivered

Leading offshore energy services provider, Jaya Holdings Limited confirmed the on-time delivery of its second new Multi-Purpose Platform Supply Vessel (MPSV), Jaya Vigilant. She sailed from Jaya’s shipyard in Batam yesterday and was immediately on hire by its charterer for a term program in East Africa. The vessel will load a Remotely Operated Vessel (ROV) spread and mobilize across the Indian Ocean to load further subsea equipment for the client in Durban in October. “[Jaya Vigilant] has a 50 ton subsea crane with active heave compensation for service in water depths of up to 3…

Kongsberg Systems for New Fugro Survey Ship

The new Fugro-owned Survey Vessel “Fugro Helmert” has been christened at Fassmer Shipyard in Germany, & is equipped with Kongsberg Maritime (Germany) advanced technical equipment. Kongsberg Maritime scope of supply to this high sophisticated survey vessel includes a Dynamic Position System Class 1 (DP1) with class notation Germanischer Lloyd and various sounding equipment placed in a specially designed blister in the keel section area. This includes the middle water EM710 multibeam system, as well as the latest generation of shallow water multibeam system EM 2040.

Kongsberg Updates for Ocean Business 2013

Alongside the unveiling of a new AUV, Kongsberg Maritime will introduce a new variant of its state-of-the-art EM 2040 multibeam echo sounder during Ocean Business 2013 in April (stand N1). Ocean Business is the ideal launch platform for both new products, which are designed to offer significant new application possibilities for the subsea and survey industry. Other highlights from the leading subsea technology developer during Ocean Business include the return of the popular Kongsberg Maritime demo boat…