Ocean Infinity has contracted Vard to design and construct eight 78-m (256-ft) long marine robotic vessels.
The company’s specialized subsidiaries are involved in the development of this series of vessels. Design and engineering are ongoing at Vard Design, and development of onboard control systems at Vard Electro in Ålesund, Norway.
In partnership with Ocean Infinity, the company has designed a multi-purpose platform with custom design and technology features allowing onshore remote control, light crewed or uncrewed operations, and the introduction of alternative fuels such as green ammonia.
The VARD 9 60 design is developed for delivering low environmental impact marine services. In close cooperation with regulatory bodies, Vard has designed the vessels for an ultra-low carbon footprint and they are among the first vessels to be prepared for green ammonia as a fuel with fuel cell and battery technology. Also, the vessels are expected to provide safe launch and recovery platforms for ROVs and other robotic systems through two large moonpools arranged with the company’s damping system.
Ove Bjørneset, VP Research and Innovation in Vard, said: “With a high focus in the design process of making the vessels energy efficient, the vessels are equipped with highly optimized hull forms, propellers, and engine arrangements. The vessels are inherently developed for safe and secure prolonged missions with a redundant mindset like split engine and propulsion rooms, redundant cooling systems, sensor systems, automation and power management systems, navigation and communication systems.”
Vard Electro has further developed its SeaQ Integrated Automation System and SeaQ Power Management System together with the class society to allow for safe remote operations and cyber-secure communication. It will deliver a complete electrical systems package from engineering through installation, integration, and commissioning.
The vessels will be built at Vard’s shipyard Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam. Deliveries are scheduled from mid-2022 to end-2023.
These eight vessels will supplement the current Armada fleet of nine 21-m (69-ft) and 36-m (118-ft) vessels, which are in production and expected to be operational by early 2021.
Source: Offshore
