Rolls-Royce wins Chinese OSV order

The scope of supply encompasses an integrated equipment package including diesel electric propulsion, deck machinery, bulk handling equipment and automation and control systems. The vessels will be equipped for transporting pipes, equipment and cargo to and from pipe-laying barges, oil drilling and production platforms. They will also be equipped for fire fighting. Delivery of the four vessels is scheduled for 2014. The contract includes options for six more vessels of the same design.

Jørn Heltne, Rolls-Royce senior vice president ship technology offshore said: “We are very pleased to sign our first contract with COSCO and we look forward to working closely with them. These vessels are complex, highly efficient and designed to meet specific challenges faced by the offshore industry.”

The propulsion system features type AZP thrusters for main propulsion, as well as auxiliary tunnel thrusters, all controlled by a Helicon-X3 remote control system for. The power plant comprises two electrically independent systems, one port and one starboard, according to redundancy requirements.

The automation system consists of:

• PosCon joystick and Icon DP system
• Acon Alarm and monitoring system
• Acon tank sounding system
• Acon pump and valve control system for remote control of pumps, valves and motors
• Acon PMS
• Acon system provided with VDUs, keyboards and printers
• Bridge alarm system
• Autoload loading computer system.

A passive roll reduction system is to be installed, connected to the Acon system. Cargo handling will be by a Rolls-Royce designed bulk system with dry bulk tanks and compressors, which is capable of discharging two types of cargo simultaneously. Deck machinery includes combined windlass/mooring winch, capstans, tugger winches and one hydraulic knuckle boom crane. The vessels will have accommodation for 46 persons.