Kongsberg Maritime and Vard shipyard have signed a contract for the supply of PM thrusters for installation on a pair of new offshore wind farm maintenance vessels, known as construction service operations vessels (CSOV).
The ships will be designed and built for Rem Offshore by the Vard Group, and the supply package will include PM azimuth thrusters, PM tunnel thrusters and a retractable azimuth thruster. This system will improve maneuverability, increase propulsion efficiency and enable the vessel to output less noise.
PM thrusters generate rotation via an electromagnetic field rather than a motor and shaft. This rotational force or torque is produced by a PM motor integrated around the outer diameter of the vessel’s propeller. The direct drive system requires no gears, improving response time and optimizing power use. This rapid power delivery is ideal for reducing unwanted vessel movement, enabling ships to maintain position when operating near wind turbines.
The thrusters will be controlled by Kongsberg’s K-Master bridge solution, which combines dynamic positioning (DP) and maneuvering functionality into a joystick-driven system that can be controlled by one person.
“In the maritime cluster at Sunnmøre, we have a tradition of working together to develop and be first to use new technology that gives us a competitive advantage,” commented Åge Remøy, chairman of the board at Rem Offshore. “With this project, we are doing it again. Together with Vard and Kongsberg Maritime, we are building a sustainable platform for offshore wind service.”
“This type of technology is key to the green shift for shipping,” explained Ottar Ristesund, SVP sales at Kongsberg Maritime. “A ship is a complex system of technologies, and our job is to offer integrated equipment that makes the ship a good long-term investment for shipping companies, regardless of the type of fuel to be used. PM technology offers flexibility for the future for vessel owners.”
The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2023.
