News | EQUIPMENT Communications Siem adopts VSAT


for Brazil OSVs Siem Offshore has selected satellite communications (satcomms) provider Harris CapRock to deploy end-to- end VSAT communications solutions aboard five of its offshore supply vessels (OSVs), currently operating off the coast of Brazil. Te provision of the VSAT terminals and Harris


CapRock’s own SeaAccess Communications suite will grant crew aboard the OSVs access to Voice over IP services, the internet and corporate networking tools, as well as enabling transfer of ship-to-shore data and real-time monitoring. According to Harris CapRock, Siem Offshore is close to deciding whether to roll out the VSAT service across an additional four OSVs. Cato Engebretsen, director of supply chain at Siem


Offshore, says: “It’s important for our fleet to be fully connected to headquarters and our other offices at all times…aſter assessing [Harris CapRock’s] ability to provide local service and support in Brazil, it was the clear choice for our team.” Te contract has come as welcome news for Harris CapRock, which is keen to extend its presence in the booming South American offshore market. www.harriscaprock.com


Propulsion Voith ventures into


semi-submersibles Propulsion systems manufacturer Voith Marine has announced that it intends to expand its Voith Radial Propellers (VRP) line to include solutions for semi-submersible platforms, in recognition of the growth in demand for these offshore facilities, with the group having launched its new VRP 38-45 model. Drawing attention to the fact that international


companies have sunk some US$8 billion into oil and gas projects in Korean yards alone, Voith claims that the experience garnered from supplying propulsion to natural gas pipelaying vessel Castoro Sei for the past 30 years was instructive in the creation of VRP 38-45. Te propeller type derives its name from the fact that it has a diameter of 3.8m and an input power of 4500kW, and the group claims that its relatively compact nature should enable the group to better target semi-submers- ible platforms and drillships. Additionally, VRP 38-45 has been developed to


enable crew to carry out work on the platform under harsh weather conditions. Te units are fully pivota- ble, fixed-pitch, nozzled propellers, with the vessel’s engine arranged vertically above the drive shaſt, in an ‘L’-shape.


12 Te group has also launched its VRP 42-55 brand


of 4.2m-diameter, 5500kW propeller, with five of these types having so far been delivered to an offshore wind farm installation vessel project. www.voith.com


Contract Rolls-Royce grows


offshore clientele Power systems provider Rolls-Royce has been selected to deliver engines and propulsion systems for two forthcoming vessels for Norwegian company Buksér og Berging, touted to be the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled tugboats. Te pair will enter service in late 2013, when they will be deployed off the Norwegian coast on behalf of Statoil and Gassco. Rolls-Royce will provide each of the 35m tugs with


two Bergen C6 gas-only engines and an AGA Cryo LNG tank, as well as an RR Acon control and monitoring package for the gas system and two of Rolls-Royce’s new US35 Aquamaster mechanical direct driven azimuth propulsion systems, the latter having been included to provide enhanced manoeuvrability. It is estimated that the gas engines will lead to 92% reductions in NOx emissions, alongside corresponding decreases of 17% on green house gas emissions and almost complete elimination of SOx emission levels. Te manufacturer also ended 2011 with a contract,


valued at US$15.7 million, to design two sister OSVs for UK ship owner Gulf Offshore North Sea Ltd. Te twin OSVs will be built to Rolls-Royce’s UT755 XL platform supply class specifications, with Italy’s Rosetti Marino yard handling construction of the pair – its ninth and tenth Rolls-Royce UT vessels to date. Deliveries are scheduled for 2013 and 2014. As well as designing the duo, the contract specifies that Rolls-Royce will also supply a propulsion system for each ship, including propellers and thrusters, deck machinery, bulk handling equipment and a ship automation package. OMT www.rolls-royce.com


A schematic for the forthcoming LNG-fuelled tugs, which will incorporate Rolls-Royce engines and propulsion systems.


Offshore Marine Technology 1st Quarter 2012


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