ABB to provide systems for LNG dual-fuel dredging vessels

This is ABB’s largest dredging vessel project for a European end customer, and covers integrated electrical power, automation, control and navigation packages for two 10 500 m³ capacity trailing suction hopper dredgers built for Van Oord. The vessels will feature dual-fuel engines, and are being constructed by Keppel Offshore & Marine, with delivery scheduled for 2021.

Jaap de Jong, Director of the Ship Management Department, Van Oord, said: “Special attention has been paid to the efficiency of these vessels.

“They will be highly sophisticated, and they also need to be very flexible. ABB has shown flexibility as a systems integrator in covering the entire power, automation, navigation and dredging control systems, but also in adapting to the ship management optimisation software developed by Van Oord and based on our specialisation in this market. We look forward to welcoming these fully-integrated vessels into service.”

According to the statement, ABB will provide generators, main switchboards, distribution switchboards, propulsion drives with associated control systems and transformers. The company will also supply a power management system, an alarm management system and a Vessel Management System based on ABB AbilityTM System 800xA, as well as a highly customised dredging control system, which ABB claims will help increase the efficiency of dredging operations.

In addition to this, ABB will provide a complete bridge solution. This will include custom-designed ergonomic consoles, a remote-control system, pilot chairs, and a navigation system. As part of the navigation package, ABB will integrate the Synapsis NX INS bridge and navigation technology from Raytheon Anschütz. The system features multifunctional workstations, autopilot and track control system, radars, navigation sensors that fully integrate with ABB’s propulsion, automation and control.

The bridge solution and the integration of navigation, propulsion, automation and control systems will help to decrease the amount of hardware needed on board. It will also increase the level of safety and efficiency of operations.

In the statement, ABB claims that its ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostic Services for Marine allow remote equipment monitoring while data analytics will allow predictive maintenance, planned service interventions or even remote technical support of the new vessels, supported from seven existing shore-based ABB Marine & Ports’ Collaborative Operations Centers.

Juha Koskela, Managing Director, ABB Marine & Ports, said: “In line with ABB’s vision for an electric, digital and connected maritime industry, we are proud to bring our established advantage as the supplier of integrated power, automation and navigation systems to the Keppel-built dredgers for Van Oord.

“Projects to build such complex vessels benefit from efficiencies that are only available to experienced integrators overseeing the complete package. ABB’s global strength with local presence in the marine industry has once again proved decisive in securing this partnership with one of the world’s leading shipyard groups.”

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/product-news/18062019/abb-to-provide-systems-for-lng-dual-fuel-dredging-vessels/