Damen has developed a new concept vessel – the offshore support vessel (OSV) 9020.
Mark Couwenberg, design & proposal engineer, said: “We were approached by several different operators at the same time, all looking for slightly different offshore capabilities, but similar enough that their requirements could be met with a conceptual standard platform.
“The thinking behind the OSV 9020 is very much in line with the Damen philosophy of shipbuilding in series; it’s a standard product, as a result drawing upon proven technology, that can be tailored to individual requirements via modularization.”
The vessel has been designed to perform a variety of offshore tasks both at surface level and subsea.
“The vessel can be fitted with a moonpool-deployed saturation dive system to allow diving operations at offshore crane, a stern A-frame, and an offshore access system,” Couwenberg said. “The vessel can also act as a submarine rescue vessel. For this, submarine rescue gear is placed on deck. To ensure suitability for this scope of work, the available vessel accommodation, maneuvering systems and dive support systems are crucial features.”
The OSV 9020 provides accommodation for up to 120 persons onboard. Also, a helicopter deck is integrated in the design.
The vessel is primarily designed to operate on DP. The hull features equally good ahead and astern performance, the company said. The vessel profile ensures low wind catch. The four identical azimuthing thrusters are arranged symmetrically: two on the stern and two on the bow. This is said to ensure maximum station-keeping performance while avoiding high noise levels in the accommodation.
In addition, this layout results in lower maintenance costs, lower fuel consumption, and less total installed power. Although the main benefits of the design are seen during station-keeping, the transit performance of the vessel is claimed to be very efficient.
The diesel generators are supported by a battery pack. The electric system is designed to operate safely with closed bus-ties. This makes it safely possible to have less engines running, resulting in reduction of fuel oil consumption and harmful emissions with up to 20% and less maintenance, the company said.
The vessel is fitted with a hybrid power generation system, resulting in low emissions.
However, the vessel can optionally be delivered to operate on green methanol, produced from biological waste streams. This allows reduction of well-to-propeller CO₂ emissions by about 70%.
Island Offshore expands fleet
Island Offshore has taken delivery of the new offshore installation vessel Island Victory from the VARD Langsten shipyard.
After a couple of weeks in the spot market, the vessel will start work on a series of contracts that could keep it occupied through October, including assignments in the Barents Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the company, during bollard pull tests last November the vessel achieved a traction of 477 tons. In addition to heavy tows and installation tasks, its deck is designed to accommodate two entire anchor spreads.
The Island Victory, a Kongsberg Maritime type UT 797 CX design, is 123 m (403 ft) long, with a breadth of 123 m and a deck space of 1,200 sq m (12,916 sq ft).
Features include a 250-metric ton (275-ton) offshore crane, two ROVs and a large moonpool, allowing it to perform pre-lay of anchor systems, installation of subsea equipment on the seafloor, maintenance of oil wells, anchor handling, and wind turbine installations.
In addition, it can also function as an accommodation vessel as it has beds for 110 people.
ETM to manage Excelerate’s FSRU fleet
The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the government of Belgium have awarded interim documents of compliance (DoC) under the International Safety Management (ISM) Code to Excelerate Technical Management (ETM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Excelerate Energy L.P.
The ISM DoC authorizes ETM to operate as ship manager for Excelerate’s entire fleet of floating storage and regasification units (FSRU). The interim DoC is the result of an audit of ETM’s safety management system, confirming compliance with ISM standards which ensure the safe operation of its crew and vessels.
Excelerate’s FSRU Experience is the first of its vessels under ETM ship management. Last month, the vessel left Navantia dry docks in Fene-Ferrol, Spain, where she underwent scheduled maintenance and upgrades. Also, while in dry dock, the FSRU was rebranded and painted in the company’s brand colors and design, the first of the fleet.
Excelerate will transition its entire fleet to ETM ship management by the end of 2020. The fleet will be repainted in the new colors as part of scheduled maintenance. •
