[ INSIDE MARINE ] Twentyfour7.

[ NEW PROPULSION CONCEPT ]

Computer-
generated image of
a next-generation
offshore support
vessel (OSV).

NEW PROPULSION CONCEPT

FOR SUPPLY VESSELS OF THE FUTURE
THE OFFSHORE MARKET has newbuilding scene. Wärtsilä, as the leading Ship handle a wide range of different tasks, designers
Power supplier, is participating in this boom by must tailor both ships and their propulsion
already been at a very high supplying propulsion equipment and machinery systems to perform well in widely-differing
level for some time and as well as total machinery solutions for a variety conditions.
of offshore vessel projects. Many OSVs are specified using different
there is no indication that Wärtsilä’s passion for continual development degrees of Dynamic Positioning (DP) classes.
the situation will change in and the search for better solutions has triggered Each vessel must be able to maintain its position
efforts to find a better propulsion machinery while performing its allotted tasks. This requires
the near future. concept for OSVs. Seeking new answers, Wärtsilä machinery with excellent steering control and
T E X T: O S K A R L E VA N D E R has challenged and questioned existing ideas and the ability to generate thrust in all directions.
P H OTO S : V I K SA N DV I K I D È A N D W Ä RTS I L Ä returned to the roots of ship propulsion. To meet the demands of DP classification,
In the drive for something new and better, systems must also be designed with high

H
igh prices for crude oil are the driving Wärtsilä teamed up with Vik-Sandvik, a levels of redundancy. In addition to having
force, as this can justify the exploitation renowned ship-design consultancy and leading DP capability, a vessel can also require a high
of higher-cost oil resources. Interest designer of some of the most-sophisticated bollard pull force.
in deep-sea offshore research and exploration offshore support vessels. Ships must be able to transport goods and
continues to grow. relocate efficiently over long distances. Operators
The boom in oil exploration and high Differing requirements, reasonable cost are therefore looking for machinery that not only
utilisation of existing installations has generated Some OSVs operate in very demanding locations. matches the demands associated with performing
high demand for offshore support vessels (OSV). The North Sea in particular is well known for its special tasks, but also offers economic operation at
This has also been reflected in a very-active brutal operating environment. As vessels have to transit speeds. These quite different requirements

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02.2006. [ INSIDE MARINE ]

must be met while holding investment costs at gear. This solution using Combined Diesel- manoeuvring performance. These thrusters are
a reasonable level. Electric and Diesel-mechanical (CODED) electrically driven using power generated by the
machinery combines the best features of electrical two generating sets in combination with the shaft
Thrusters, twin shafts or single-skeg? and mechanical propulsion systems. generators. If more thrust is required to increase
Most OSVs have either twin shaft lines or The idea is that in free-running modes, only bollard-pull capacity, the mechanical propeller
twin steerable thrusters. Propulsors are either the centre-line propeller provides thrust to move can be engaged alongside the two retractable
mechanically- or electrically-driven. Diesel- the vessel. Mechanical propulsion offers a simple thrusters.
electric machinery is more common in advanced and efficient solution when we are looking for The concept can either have one or two
multipurpose vessels and vessels that have a high retractable thrusters in the stern. Two thrusters
DP classification. Mechanical propulsion is the offers better manoeuvring and DP performance.
usual choice for shaft lines and this arrangement
is dominant in vessels such as Anchor Handling
“new ideas One thruster, on the other hand, gives lower
investment costs and occupies less space inside
Tugs (AHT). Vessels of this type require combined with the vessel.
high power levels, especially in bollard-pull
conditions. advanced thruster Lower specific fuel consumption
Most cargo vessels, on the other hand, have Mechanical transmission in combination with the
only a single propeller driven directly by a technology low resistance and favourable wake field created
diesel engine. Single-screw propulsion offers by the single-skeg hull shape offer very low power
an efficient hull form. The beneficial wake field are introducing demand when the vessel is running at service
behind the skeg means that hull efficiency is high speed. This solution offers excellent fuel economy
and the lack of shaft lines with bossings and new possibilities in transit modes and when relocating.
brackets results in lower resistance. Solutions
of this type are the most cost efficient for the in propulsor In DP mode, loads on the thrusters vary
greatly. In such cases, it is better to run the
majority of cargo vessels with moderate power
and few demands on manoeuvring performance
configuration.” propellers at varying speeds and avoid constant
rpm. This type of operation calls for electric
and redundancy. drive. Furthermore, using diesel-electric power
OSVs, on the other hand, have to face very low fuel consumption at constant speed with plant makes it possible keep engine loads closer
different demands. Single-screws alone have not very little manoeuvring. to optimum levels by shutting down or starting
therefore been used to any significant degree. On the other hand, when the ship is performing up engines in accordance with fluctuations in
High requirements as regards manoeuvring its specialist tasks in DP mode, a single-screw power demand. The result is lower specific fuel
performance and redundancy call for multiple arrangement is not feasible. Lowering the consumption. In practice, fuel consumption
propellers in some operational modes. retractable thrusters provides the required can usually be reduced by using a diesel-electric p
Machinery and propulsion technologies
are evolving and new ideas combined with
advanced thruster technology are introducing New supply vessel
new possibilities in propulsor configuration. concept based on the
In cooperation with Vik-Sandvik, Wärtsilä has successful VS range.
developed a new propulsion and machinery
concept for OSVs.

Propulsion concept using CODED machinery

A supply vessel based on the successful VS
range has been created to demonstrate the new
propulsion concept. The ship is intended for
supply-vessel duties in the North Sea.
The vessel has a single-skeg hull with a
controllable-pitch (CP) propeller driven by two
medium-speed diesel engines through a twin-
in/single-out reduction gear. The mechanical
propeller is complemented by one or two
retractable thrusters in the flat aft section of the
hull and a tunnel thruster in the centreline skeg.
The bow is also equipped with a tunnel thruster
and a retractable steerable thruster. All thrusters
are electrically driven, with power coming from
two diesel generating sets and two shaft generators
connected to the primary PTOs on the reduction

2.06 Twentyfour7. 63
 [ INSIDE MARINE ] Twentyfour7.
[ NEW PROPULSION CONCEPT ]

system in different operating modes with variable New propulsion concept

loads. with single-skeg hull and
The new proposed solution employing three retractable thrusters.
CODED machinery therefore offers both the
good features of a diesel-electric solution in DP
operation and the same levels of efficiency as
diesel-mechanical in free running. This will result
in the best-achievable total fuel consumption.
Performance is further boosted by the efficient
single-skeg hull form. The drag that results from
a single-skeg hull with almost no appendages is
much lower than that of a twin shaft line or twin-
thruster arrangement. In conventional vessels,
appendages give rise to a significant increase in
resistance. The wake formed behind a centre-line
skeg also offers better propulsion efficiency by
improving the hull-efficiency component.
the next generation of offshore support vessels.
Excellent for supply-vessel applications “The new As well as offering significant reductions in total
The new propulsion concept is suitable for many operating costs according to actual operational
types of OSV. The most-likely applications are propulsion concept profiles, the new propulsion concept using
in supply vessels. Constant free running to and CODED machinery is a very sophisticated
from an oil rig calls for efficiency in this aspect is suitable for many propulsion configuration that can be tailored
of performance. Supply vessels also need some
DP capability so that they can maintain position types of OSV.” to meet each operator’s highest performance
demands.
while loading and unloading at sea. This makes Wärtsilä provides complete propulsion and
the new CODED machinery concept an excellent supply (AHTS) vessels. In these cases, two machinery solutions from engines and propellers
match for supply vessel applications. high-power retractable thrusters in the stern are to complete automation systems. Working
CODED machinery is also suitable for multi- recommended to further improve the bollard- together with the ship designer and shipyard,
purpose vessels whose operational modes vary. pull thrust. Although this configuration occupies the leading Ship Power supplier offers operators
Many offshore construction vessels and Remotely more space inside the hull and adds cost, the the ultimate in real added value. Our passion
Operated Vessels (ROVs) must operate efficiently resulting level of bollard pull and higher DP class for challenging existing standards and seeking
in DP mode when performing their primary tasks. is more important for an AHTS. something new and better has taken concrete
They also need good free-running performance shape in this new concept for OSVs.
when relocating. Meeting the highest demands
The concept using CODED machinery can Wärtsilä and Vik-Sandvik have created a new AUTHOR IS GENERAL MANAGER, CONCEPTUAL
also be applied in anchor-handling towing concept that offers a very competitive solution for DESIGN, WÄRTSILÄ IN FINLAND

New CODED machinery configuration with twin engines driving the shaft-line and twin diesel generating sets.

W 9L20 1 665 kW
Retractable
thruster
880 kW

Tunnel
thrusters SG 1 200 kW W 9L20 1 800 kW
880 kW

W 9L20 1 800 kW

Feathering CPP Retractable Tunnel

3 600 kW, 3 500 mm thruster thrusters
SG 1 200 kW 880 kW 880 kW
W 9L20 1 665 kW

Retractable
thruster
880 kW

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