KONGSBERG, Norway — Kongsberg Maritime will equip Solstad’s subsea construction vessel Normand Sentinel with new electric rim-drive azimuth thrusters.
The upgrade of the 143-m-long vessel will take place during its next scheduled drydocking. Its current AZP 120 CP mechanical thrusters will be replaced with Kongsberg’s RD-AZ2600 rim-drive thrusters.
These are said to offer energy savings of up to 16% during transit operations and 40% in dynamic positioning mode.
According to Kongsberg Maritime, the rim-drive technology simplifies the propulsion configuration system by minimizing the number of mechanical components, in turn reducing the frequency and complexity of maintenance interventions.
The thruster retrofit should require no significant modifications to the vessel’s hull. Although the existing mechanical interface will be removed, equipment already within the hull will be used to allow the new thrusters to integrate with the existing steering gear.
