Norwegian shipbuilders are advancing their path towards increasing diversification to ensure their survival through the dearth of orders from the offshore sector. In doing so they are intending to provide for longer-term prosperity
Norwegian shipyards have been forced out of necessity, from the lack of offshore support vessel (OSV) orders, to diversify their activities into different ship types. Although it has not been easy in what is a challenging market, several yards have been successful in winning new orders in a variety of markets. They include orders for expedition cruise ships and ferries, fishing vessels, naval vessels and large yachts.
They have also continued to meet what demand there is in the offshore sector for specialised vessels and to complete the construction of orders places in better times. Recent OSV deliveries from Norwegian yards include Ulstein-built offshore construction vessel Island Venture for Island Offshore, and Vard-built dive support vessel Deep Explorer for Technip.
Norsk Skipsverft, which represents Norwegian shipbuilders, reported that in 2016 Norwegian shipyards received orders worth NKr12.8 billion.This was slightly more than the NKr11.2 billion in 2015, but still well below the more than NKr20 billion value of orders received during the preceding boom years in the offshore sector.
Norway’s yards are, nevertheless, still winning some orders for OSVs, particularly in the still growing offshore wind industry. For example, in January 2017 Ulstein Verft signed a contract for a DP2 construction support vessel for The Netherlands-based Acta Marine. The vessel is aimed at the offshore wind market and is a new design from Ulstein Design & Solutions, the SX195.
The SX195 design features Ulstein’s X-Bow and X-Stern hullform, an integrated walk-to-work gangway system, and a 3D motion compensated crane. The vessel is 93.4m in length with a breadth of 18m and can accommodate up to 120 people in 80 cabins. It will have a cargo area of 500m2 indoors and 500m2 on deck and will be able to provide walk-to-work transfer of personnel and cargo in significant wave heights of up to 3m.
The vessel is designed for commissioning and construction work and for maintenance tasks on offshore windfarms. It is scheduled for delivery in early 2018.
Rob Boer, managing director of Acta Marine, said: “Ulstein Verft is renowned for its quality and on-time deliveries, and a vital part of the ship construction is carried out in a roofed and controlled environment.”
Ulstein Group chief executive Gunvor Ulstein commented: “We are very pleased that Acta Marine has chosen Ulstein for this project. We are looking forward to the co-operation and to delivering a new vessel to the growing renewables industry.”
A previous contract for a windfarm service operations vessel won the 2017 Offshore Support Journal Offshore Renewables Award. Windea La Cour, built for Bernhard Schulte Offshore, was the first ever vessel with the Ulstein X-Stern. The vessel was delivered in 2016 and is currently in service at the Gemini offshore windfarm in The Netherlands. As well as the X-Stern it has the X-Bow and both design features optimise the ship for operations on offshore windfarms. With an X-Stern, the vessel’s operator avoids having to continually turn the vessel when relocating. Unlike any other vessel, which has a bow designed to pass easily through waves with minimal resistance, this ship is designed to reverse through them, too, stern first.
“The X-Stern hull shape allows the vessel to be positioned with the stern facing towards the weather instead of the bow only,” Matthias Müller, managing director of Bernhard Schulte Offshore, explained.
Another specialised offshore vessel design developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions, an integrated subsea rock installation (SRI) vessel, Bravenes, was described at the Annual Offshore Support Journal conference held in London in February 2017 by Ulstein Design & Solutions managing director Edwin van Leeuwen.
He explained that an SRI has to meet a variety of challenges including dealing with variable waves and currents and differing sea floor conditions. Previously SRIs have tended to be conversions from other vessels such as bulk carriers, as they offer the necessary extensive flat deck space.
Bravenes was designed to transport rock from shore to the sea floor and dump it accurately through a moonpool or over the side. It also has seabed intervention capability. The main design objectives were to make use of the vessel parameters without hatches, provide a shallow draught to maximise port entry options, enable self unloading of large rocks, and include a fall pipe system, with safety embedded into the design for both the vessel and the equipment. The nature of the vessel’s operation means that stability requirements are particularly important.
These requirements meant that design modifications continued throughout the design process. The safety of personnel was a priority and the vessel was designed to meet passenger ship regulations, with the accommodation layout optimised for personnel routes and comfort. Reduced noise and vibration levels were another key feature. Using the Ulstein X-Bow reduces slamming and accelerations in waves. The vessel is 154.4m long and 28m wide with a load capacity of up to 14,000 tonnes. It has a skidable automatic flexible fall pipe through the moonpool and a fall pipe over the side.
Ulstein’s X-Bow has also been selected for a new order that marks the builder’s diversification into the superyacht market. The order from a private owner will be the first vessel of this type Ulstein has designed and built. Ms Ulstein said: “We are very pleased we were chosen to develop the marine platform and our shipyard will be the one to build this vessel. This is a very important contract for us in a new and interesting market.”
The hull will be developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions. Exterior design and the general arrangement will be supplied by specialist yacht designer Espen Øino. The yacht will be 88.5m long with a breadth of 16.3m.
The vessel will be delivered in the first quarter of 2018. Planning and engineering work has started and the project will keep a large part of the Ulstein Verft workforce in Norway occupied throughout 2017.
In addition, Ulstein Power & Control has been contracted for the delivery of complete systems for the superyacht. This includes packages of systems for automation, surveillance and control, communications, integrated bridge solutions, the distribution and propulsion of power systems, dynamic positioning and power control systems.
Gunnar Hide, managing director at Ulstein Power & Control, said: “We are extremely pleased to have won this important contract. It has been a close competition, with several large companies. As Ulstein Power & Control has been chosen to deliver the complete package, it means that we are not only cost competitive, but also a partner which can deliver modern systems and solutions that prepare ships for the digital future.”
In another diversification Ulstein Verft moved into the cruise ship refit business, signing a contract for the modernisation and upgrading of the expedition cruise ship Sea Adventurer owned by Adventurers Partner and operated by Quark Expeditions.
The ship was expected to arrive at Ulstein Verft in April and will be refurbished by mid June, in time for the Arctic 2017 cruise season. The 4,376gt Sea Adventurer was originally built in 1976 as Alla Terasova.
The contract for upgrade works includes renovation of the ship’s interior, major technical upgrades such as the replacement of main engines and gears, and the addition of new passenger cabins.
The interior renovations include outside cabins with en suite facilities, a spacious forward lounge and bar, and upgrades to the main lounge and main dining room, the gym, and selected suites.
Major technical enhancements include two new engines, generators, gear boxes, drive systems, and re-bladed propellers, giving increased fuel efficiency and a lower carbon footprint.
Ulstein Verft managing director Kristian Sætre said: “This is an important contract for us within a new segment. The shipowner wanted a quality partner, and even if this is a demanding project with a short delivery time, we will deliver on time with quality, as always.”
The company believes that the X-Bow hullform can help owners of passenger ships stand out from the crowd and distinguish themselves from competitors. Ulstein said that a vessel with X-Bow lines is very different from the usual cruise vessels and that the excellent seakeeping characteristics of the X-Bow will enhance comfort, safety and operability. It is optimistic that its Ulstein Exploration Cruise design featuring the X-Bow will prove popular among cruise ship operators.
This has proved persuasive for Miami, USA-based SunStone Ships which recently ordered a series of four expedition ships, with options for six more. The vessels will be built in Shanghai, China, but will feature Ulstein’s X-Bow design. The 104m long, 18m wide vessels’ design, equipment and management will be supplied by Ulstein Design & Solutions. The ships will be rated Ice class 1A or Polar class 6. The first delivery will be in August 2019, with subsequent ships following at six month intervals.
Ulstein has produced more than 100 X-Bow ships, including 45 in China, where it employs 90 people. It is hoping to win further cruise ship business in China as the cruise industry expands there.
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