Azipod propulsion for wind farm ship

The design brief required a shallow draught capability along with maximum manoeuvrabilityin water depths up to 75m. The ship is currently under construction in Korea by Samsung Heavy Industries, to a design by Knud E.Hansen for Swire Pacific Offshore acquisition Blue Ocean, and is scheduled for delivery in June 2012.

The vessel, which is expected to be deployed in European waters, will feature an integrated electrical drive system working in tandem with four Azipod C units, fitted aft. The ‘C’ version is ABB’s compact Azipod, which the company says has been designed for simple construction and for both bollard pull and transit requirements. The four Azipods, to be delivered by ABB Marine’s Shanghai factory in the second and third quarter of 2011, will each be rated at 3400kW.

Designed for installation of wind turbines and foundations, the vessel is intended to offer an improved operating weather window compared to existing ships. It will have crane capability of 1,200 tons, DP2 station keeping, transit speed of at least 13 knots and single cabin accommodation for 111 people. Critical factors in the equipment selection process, according to ABB, included the compactness of the propulsion units, ease of installation and minimal use of lubrication oil. In addition, the company claims that the all-electric Azipod solution consumes less fuel and thus cuts emissions in comparison with conventional propulsion equipment.

One wind turbine installation ship has already been delivered in China that features ABB systems and two more are under construction. A further two ABB-equipped wind turbine installation vessels are being built in South Korea and two more are scheduled for delivery in Singapore and Indonesia.