Kongsberg Maritime Unveils Next-gen Offshore Vessel Designs

Norway's Kongsberg Maritime on Tuesday showcased a new line of offshore ship designs in its UT Design portfolio. 

The new anchor handler (AHT) and platform supply vessels (PSV) have the option to include alternative energy sources and fuels, such as methanol, ammonia, and hybrid-battery power.

The AHT and PSV designs have received Approval in Principle from class society DNV to operate with ammonia-fuelled engines and they can incorporate an offshore charging capable plug-in hybrid option, to enable emission-free battery-powered operation.

Einar Vegsund, Director, Ship Design Solutions, Kongsberg Maritime, said: “Kongsberg’s iconic UT vessels have been the benchmark design for the offshore industry for the past 50 years. These latest designs combine decades of experience and the latest innovative Kongsberg technologies to offer customers next-generation ships that are equipped for the future.

“Our ship designs continue to evolve, and changes to regulations and uncertainty around preferred fuels have driven the demand to create ships that are ready for the future and give owners the confidence to invest, knowing their ships can adapt to meet future requirements.”

Kongsberg Next Generation Anchor Handler Vessel

Kongsberg Next Generation Anchor Handler Vessel - ©Kongsberg Maritime 

Martijn de Jongh, Chief Designer of Specialised Vessels, Kongsberg Maritime, added: “A great deal of work has gone into ensuring this new range of ships gives owners a reduction in environmental footprint. We have drawn on the results of numerous R&D programs including hydrodynamic optimization, assessing offshore battery charging, and in cooperation with Amon Maritime, obtained the Approval in Principle for the use of ammonia as a fuel. 

“One of the great innovations the anchor handler design offers is significantly reduced energy consumption during anchor operations. This is achieved through the use of Kongsberg’s cross-tensioning system where the load testing of anchors will use the power of the winches rather than the traditional approach of one or more vessels using bollard pull and engine power. This approach will lead to significant operational cost savings, enabling this crucial offshore task to be handled by a single ship”.

The anchor handler range, known as UT 7800, will eventually include four sizes, ranging from small to extra-large, with bollard pulls of 180 tons for the small version, increasing to over 400 tons for the largest version of the ship.

Martijn de Jongh adds: “The UT 7800 has been designed for initial operation in the traditional oil and gas anchor handling market, but it is very adaptable for future offshore energy developments, such as floating wind. While we are also designing ships specifically for the offshore wind market, the UT 7800 range has the benefit of being able to operate at first in oil and gas, then, if desired, it can be adapted to serve operations in new, evolving markets.”

Kongsberg said it would offer a choice of winch configurations and capacities, as well as adaptable chain and rope handling and storage capacity. ROVs and cranes can also be integrated into the designs. 

For the largest vessels, the deck equipment and arrangement have been optimized for the larger dimensions and weights of the rope, chain, and equipment than is typical within oil and gas, enabling operations outside these traditional markets.

AHTS MAIN FEATURES

Length overall approx. 110,00 m (base vessel)
Breadth, mld approx. 28,00 m
Draught, maximum approx. 9,00 m

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation and equipment for up to 90 persons in 60 cabins.

SPEED and BOLLARD PULL

Service speed approx. 10-12 kn

Bollard pull minimum 300 t

CARGO CAPACITY

Cargo deck area approx. 1100 m2

Deadweight at max. draught approx. 6000 t

Rig chain lockers (gross/net) approx. 2000/1700 m3

MISSION EQUIPMENT

Two independant Chain winches

Two Towing/Working winches

One Special handling winch (active heave compensated)

Four Secondary/Rope deployment winches

Longitudinal cross tensioning system

Twin or triple shark jaw/towing pin units

Anchor handling frame

Cargo rail cranes

Optional AHC subsea crane

One or two work class ROV systems

 

Variety of Options for PSV Range

Kongsberg Platform Supply Vessel - ©Kongsberg

"Today, there are hundreds of Kongsberg-designed platform supply vessels in operation around the world. The new PSV design range (UT 7400) has all the necessary features to address the latest regulations for the transport of the liquid products and the growing requirement for lower emissions and environmental footprint, including energy consumption reduction, and readiness for future fuel transition," Kongsberg Maritime said.

According to the company, the Kongsberg PSV range of designs comes with a variety of options for the type of cargo, cargo volume and cargo deck area, which can be configured depending on the operational profile of the vessel. The cargo area has been re-designed and provides options for the various products compliant with the latest OSV Chemical Code regulations, ensuring the safe transportation and storage of hazardous materials, while optimizing the structural arrangement.

PSV - Main Features

Length overall approx. 90,60 m 

Breadth, mld approx. 22,00 m 

Depth approx. 9,30 m 

Draught, maximum approx. 7,50 m 

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation and equipment for 25 persons. 

SPEED

Service speed approx. 10-12 know 

CARGO CAPACITY 

Cargo deck area approx. 1075 m2 

Deadweight at max. draught approx. 6000 t 

Max capacity S

Ship type 2 and 3 products 1200 m3 

Ship Type 1 products 150 m3 

CARGO SYSTEMS 

Multi-products 

Mud/Brine 

Dry bulk 

Fuel oil/base oil 

Fresh water