Thruster Control Systems News

Maritime systems supplier Brunvoll has signed a contract with Simon Møkster Shipping to deliver upgrades for Stril Mermaid and Stril Mariner vessels.In addition to replacing the existing DP2 systems for the two vessels, Brunvoll will also replace the current propulsion and thruster control systems, as well as the independent joystick system.The systems will be replaced with Brunvoll's BruCon DP2, BruCon PTC (Propulsion & Thruster Control), and BruCon JS.This will ensure even better…

SEACOR Marine announced it will convert four of its platform supply vessels (PSV) to battery hybrid power in a move to enhance efficiency and slash emissions.The Houston-headquartered marine transportation firm said on Thursday it has ordered containerized energy storage systems (ESS) from Norway's Kongsberg Maritime for install aboard SEACOR Ohio, SEACOR Alps, SEACOR Andes and SEACOR Atlas.The four 278.4-foot-long PSVs are all of Kongsberg Maritime's UT771 CDL design and were built in China from 2018 to 2020.

Kongsberg Maritime will supply design, engineering and equipment for three MGO/Biofuel and methanol-ready tanker ships being built for Danish tanker operator Tärntank. The 15,000-dwt tanker vessels will feature wind assist technology plus Tärntank’s own battery-powered Hybrid Solution.To be built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Yangzhou and delivered in 2025, Kongsberg's portion totals nearly $12m and includes steering gear, rudders, controllable pitch propellers, tunnel thrusters and thruster control systems…

Siemens has been commissioned to provide the complete electro-technical solution for Finland’s first battery-powered car ferry. The Finnish shipping company FinFerries has ordered the newbuilding from the Polish shipyard CRIST S.A. The environmentally-friendly ferry will improve the transport options between Nauvo and Parainen in the Turku Archipelago. It will be approximately 90 meters long by 16 meters wide with capacity for a maximum of 90 cars. Operation on the 1.6 kilometer-long route will begin in summer 2017.

ZF Marine penetrates domestic inland waterway markets – enjoying good success with two U.S. majors. The prospects for an even brighter future hinge on the performance of its early entries. So far, so good. It’s no secret that the domestic, inland marine business can be conservative in its approach to adopt new technologies, but then, this can probably be said of the global waterfront, as well. But the market is changing, driven by larger corporate entities moving into these tightly held markets, as well as a myriad of legislative and operational conditions – namely the rapidly rising cost of fuel. ZF Marine – or more specifically ZF Marine Krimpen b.v.…

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 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.

Beier Radio was established in 1945 as a family business in a garage workshop. In 1945, two-way radios were the most technologically advanced electronics on the market, hence the name Beier Radio. As the technology has evolved, so has the company, and although Beier Radio continues to sell and service radios, this is only a small part of its business today. The company has remained on the cutting edge of technology, and today it manufactures, sells and services vessel control systems…

Two new state-of-the-art Ramform Titan-class seismic vessels under construction at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries yard in Japan for Norway headquartered Petroleum Geo Services (PGS) will feature a delivery from Kongsberg Maritime including integrated navigation, Dynamic Positioning and an extensive back-deck handling systems package. The contracts, valued at  more than $50 million, were signed by Kongsberg Maritime and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, following PGS’ decision to exercise…

Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine has been contracted to upgrade Interlake Steamship Company’s Tug Dorothy Ann. The 124-foot, 7,200-horsepower Z-drive tug is the largest Z-drive ATB tug built to date in North America and is mated to the barge Pathfinder. The duo is engaged in hauling bulk commodities on the Great Lakes. The upgrade will convert the Dorothy Ann’s Rolls-Royce/Ulstien azimuth thrusters from fixed-pitch to controllable-pitch propellers. The project will include replacement of the lower drive units as well as all thruster control systems on the vessel.

Two new 220 ft. OSVs, rigged for flexible, efficient operation, are beginning to pay off for Gulf Offshore Marine, an affiliate of GulfMark Offshore, Lafayette, La. The sister vessels, measuring 217.5 x 54 x 20 ft., with a 16.1 ft. loaded draft, were launched in late 1999 from Bender Shipyard, Mobile, Ala. Highland Scout entered service in Brazil in January and Highland Guide entered service in Borneo in February. Vessel conceptual design was a collaborative effort between Gulf Offshore and Bender, with Guido Perla and Associates, Seattle, assisting Bender with final design. The 4,640 bhp vessels have a total capacity of 2,800 tons of fuel oil, fresh water, deck cargo, bulk materials and liquid mud. Steaming speed averaged 12 knots; normal speed is projected to be 10.5-11 knots.

GlobalSantaFe provided a preliminary estimate for the expected start of operations for its four offshore drilling rigs damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Most of the damage to the company's four semisubmersible rigs was to their mooring systems. Three of these rigs, the GSF Arctic I, GSF Development Driller II and GSF Celtic Sea, are projected to begin normal operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during the fourth quarter of 2005. The GSF Development Driller I, which also sustained water damage to some of its thruster control systems, is projected to start work in the first half of 2006 due to longer delivery times for critical replacement parts. All of the damaged rigs are covered under a hull and machinery insurance policy with a combined deductible of $10 million for this event.