ABB, a global provider of power and automation technologies, has ordered a highly advanced cable-laying vessel to boost the capacity of its submarine cable operations while achieving greater efficiency and precision.
The new ship will be custom-built to ABB specifications and deploy many of ABB’s own marine technologies. The award-winning Onboard DC Grid and power distribution solution, for instance, will use a single DC circuit for ship propulsion to reduce power consumption.
The ship will also feature a complete ABB Integrated Automation System and three Azipod propulsion units. Together with an energy storage system for marine applications, this is expected to cut fuel consumption by 27% and reduce maintenance compared to traditional AC systems.
In addition, sensors, monitoring hardware and software will enable data to be sent to shore via a satellite link, to allow the onshore technical support centres to work closely with the ship as part of ABB’s Integrated Marine Operations solution. Advanced advisory software for motion monitoring, forecasting and decision support will also be onboard.
The ship will also be equipped with roll-reduction tanks and the subsea operations will be executed and monitored by a remotely operated vehicle using cameras and sonar, avoiding the need for divers.
Thanks to dynamic positioning technology of the highest class (DP3), the ship will be able to maintain its position with high precision.
“This next-generation vessel incorporating state-of-the-art ABB technologies will be a key differentiator for our high-voltage cable business, enhancing flexibility and execution ability,”commented Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Systems division.
“It will also improve operational efficiency and customer focus, supporting profitable growth in line with our Next Level strategy,”he stated.
The ship will be constructed at Kleven shipyard in Norway, with delivery expected in 2017.
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