RCN ICE PATROL VESSEL PROGRAMME PICKS UP PACE

The delivery followed the commissioning into service of  Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Harry DeWolf with the RCN on 26 June. Earlier this year, the AOPS successfully completed all harbour and sea trials, highlighting the successful relationship between Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and GE Power Conversion, the Propulsion System Integrator (PSI) and supplier of the AOPS integrated power and electric propulsion system.

Meanwhile, the construction of the vessels in the eight-strong series continues. The full-scale commissioning of the propulsion system for the  third vessel in the Harry DeWolf-class, the future HMCS Max Bernays, is scheduled to start September 2021, while construction on the fourth vessel continues, and steel has been cut on the fifth vessel.

To satisfy the RCN’s requirements for Polar Class 5 ice performance using commercially available equipment, GE selected the MV7000 variable frequency drive in combination with robust induction motor technology as the heart of the propulsion system. With four diesel generators, high voltage switchboards, and GE’s sophisticated power management and propulsion control technology, the entire system has met or exceeded all performance requirements whether in Arctic ice or open water.

The AOPS power and electric propulsion systems have been used in naval ice class vessels for South Africa and Chile, as well as in other commercial vessels. Examples include South Africa’s SA Agulhas Antarctic research and supply vessel and the Antarctica I vessel under construction by Astilleros Asmar at its Talcahuano yard in Chile.

In a current US project, GE incorporates the same family of equipment in the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs). A total of five vessels are planned for the NSMV Class. GE’s contract as the NSMV Propulsion System Integrator (PSI) includes the integration of the diesel engines, generators, switchboards, transformers, main propulsion drives, propulsion motors, and auxiliary support systems.

“Since contract award in 2012, GE’s entire AOPS team has focused on providing the most responsive support possible to our customer, Irving Shipbuilding Inc.” said Gagan Sood, CEO, GE Power Conversion Americas. “As the sole Propulsion System Integrator with responsibilities to power the largest single ship class to be delivered under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy so far, we are looking forward to earning similar responsibilities with Canada’s other shipyards to help build the future fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and Canada’s Coast Guard.”