Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway—ABB will supply an integrated power, automation and propulsion system to Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard in China for the new
JUV Boreas offshore jackup wind turbine installation vessel.
This is due to be delivered to owner Van Oord in the second half of 2024.
According to ABB, the 175-m long vessel will be capable of lifting structures weighing over 3,000 t. Its 126-m high legs will allow it to operate in water depths of up to 70 m jacked up, and to install up to 20-MW wind turbines.
Shiyan Sun, Director, Supply Chain Management Centre, Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard, said the ease of installing ABB’s Azipod production systems was a factor in the contract ward: “It is a matter of plugging the ready-made units into the vessel hull, saving considerable time and effort in the construction process.”
Boreas will be equipped with four Azipod propulsion units with a combined propulsion power of 16 MW, offering significant space and weight savings (according to ABB) and allowing the vessel to transport heavier loads.
In addition, ABB’s hybrid-electric propulsion system is said to allow for integration of new energy sources once these become available.
The package for Boreas includes a closed-ring configuration said to lead to safer, more efficient and more predictable operations. And though the spinning-reserve and peak-load-shaving capabilities, the energy storage system will provide a back-up power source while reducing engine running hours to minimize wear and fuel consumption.
Van Oord will also make use of the ABB Ability marine remote diagnostic system for continuous remote equipment monitoring, and the OCTOPUS - marine advisory system for performance management, predictive maintenance and voyage optimization.
08.24.2022
