The Zhi Zhen 100 is a service operation vessel (SOV) tailored for China’s burgeoning offshore wind sector. The model is developed by Ulstein Verft, a shipbuilder within the Ulstein Group.
The SOV will be owned and operated by the Shanghai Electric Windpower Group, an industrial and intelligent system solutions supplier for the wind sector. It is designed for the efficient storage and transportation of wind farm equipment and spare parts.
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The Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC) into an agreement with Ulstein Design & Solutions in January 2022, to design two service operation vessels.
The Zhi Zhen 100 draws its design from the while its counterpart, the Zhi Cheng 60, is modelled after the SX197.
The steel-cutting ceremony for the Zhi Zhen 100 was held in September 2022 while the keel-laying ceremony was held at the ZPMC yard in November 2022.
The vessel was launched in September 2023, and the inclining test was successfully completed in November of the same year. The Zhi Zhen 100 SOV is poised to commence service in 2024.
Zhi Zhen 100 design and features
The Zhi Zhen 100 will feature a length of 93.4m (306.4ft), a moulded breadth of 18m (59.5ft) and a draught of 6m (19.68ft). It will have a deadweight of 2,771 tonnes.
The vessel will be capable of reaching a top speed of 13.3 knots and is designed for autonomous operations that can exceed more than 30 days. It will have the capacity to house up to 100 individuals and will include a (2152.78ft²) warehouse deck area and a 420m² cargo deck.
The vessel will incorporate Ulstein’s pioneering X-STERN design, merging the X-BOW® effect into the aft ship to augment cargo space and payload capacity.
The Zhi Zhen 100 will be outfitted with high-capacity dynamic positioning (DP2) systems, cutting-edge walk-to-work gangways, offshore cranes, and high-speed daughter crafts to facilitate efficient wind turbine maintenance.
Additionally, the vessel will be equipped with helicopter platforms and boarding platforms, significantly enhancing the efficiency of personnel transport and deployment.
X-STERN details
The X-STERN design is poised to significantly enhance vessel stability by diminishing pitch motion and expanding the operational window, especially during weathervaning. The stern will contribute to a substantial reduction in the propulsion power required by as much as 50% when compared to a bow-facing position, thereby elevating efficiency.
The innovative design will also prioritise comfort and safety. The stern’s quartering seas configuration reduces wave response and slamming, thereby mitigating accelerations and enhancing the onboard experience. Additionally, a sheltered aft deck and increased freeboard will lessen the risk of green water on deck, ensuring a safer environment for the crew, passengers, and equipment.
The X-STERN’s optimised performance is expected to lead to up to a 28% decrease in resistance in both calm waters and waves. Moreover, sailing astern with this design could result in up to 60% reduction in power consumption, emphasising its fuel efficiency and environmental benefits.
X-BOW details
The X-BOW design is set to enhance fuel efficiency through improved hydrodynamics, offering a smoother and quieter sailing experience. Its unique shape facilitates a gentle wave entry, mitigating shocks and vibrations and thereby promoting a tranquil environment on board.
Additionally, the design diminishes bow impact and slamming in rough seas, leading to smoother journeys and improved rest conditions for the crew. The reduction in vessel motions and gentler accelerations will eliminate sudden jolts during speed changes.
Furthermore, the X-BOW design ensures consistent speed in adverse sea conditions, with minimal speed loss and stable pitching. It will also lessen spray on the deck, rendering the area drier and safer for everyone on board.
Propulsion details of Zhi Zhen 100
The vessel will employ diesel-electric marine propulsion and a DC busbar distribution system, providing superior berthing and manoeuvring capabilities.
The vessel will also be equipped with advanced battery energy storage and DC-based drive systems.
