ABB Wins Milestone Contract with WSIC

Offshore construction vessel order is the first to include ABB’s integrated power and automation solution consisting of ABB’s advanced power, propulsion and 800xA control and safety system.
 
ABB will deliver a cutting-edge solution which includes electrical propulsion, power, safety and automation systems. These systems will be integrated and run on a single control system platform for a 5000T heavy-lift pipelay construction vessel. By integrating power and automation on the vessel, overall efficiency, safety and reliability will be increased. This is the first time ABB deliver power and propulsion system fully integrated with the 800xA automation solution for this type of vessel. The state-of-the-art vessel, will be built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., Ltd (WSIC).
 
ABB’s integrated marine solutions combine advanced power and automation technologies to meet the stringent demands of today’s shipyards and vessel owners. ABB’s engineers together with marine and vessel experts develop innovative solutions that respond to the industry’s greatest challenges.
 
This type of vessel is used in ultra-deep waters and requires highest levels of accuracy, precision and availability. Hence, the owner and operators required more integration and easier interface for multi- system control. The ABB response will combine electric propulsion and electrical & automation systems to be integrated and controlled by ABB’s flagship System 800xA distributed control system (DCS) platform. Additionally, ABB’s advanced power system is capable of achieving the requirements needed to run the solution with closed bus in DP3 operations.
 
“Modern ships feature an increasing number of advanced systems, such as power, automation, advisory and safety. When all these systems are integrated, the advantages are significant: reduced investment costs, optimized maintenance, improved power control and equipment availability. The selection of ABB’s integrated solution for a demanding project like this is a strong endorsement of our offering,” says Heikki Soljama, head of ABB’s business unit Marine and Cranes.

The vessel will be delivered in Q1 2018, and is designed for pipelaying, heavy lifting and subsea construction operations and extends expertise into the deepwater market. Deepwater operations require uncompromised reliability and by integrating electric power, propulsion, onboard processes and asset and performance management systems, the overall vessel effectiveness, availability and safety are increased.