Converteam to equip DEA research vessel

The vessel will function as a multi-purpose vessel, serving, among other things, as a supply vessel, research vessel, icebreaker, expedition vessel, as well as a passenger ship. The ship will carry scientists and research equipment for the South African National Antarctic Programme in the sea area between South Africa, the Antarctic islands and the Antarctica.

The ice-strengthened vessel will be approximately 134m long and it will have accommodation for a crew of 45 and some 100 researchers or passengers. It will be built in Rauma, Finland, and will be delivered in spring 2012.

Converteam will supply a transformerless solution including two induction propulsion motors, each 4.5MW at 140rpm supplied by PWM MV7000 converters. Thanks to the multi drive architecture, the propulsion converters will also supply the side thruster motors.

Converteam’s scope also includes the C-Series vessel control system comprising the power management system (PMS), the centralised power plant and alarms management, and the ship, machinery and auxiliary systems.