Kongsberg Maritime has developed a mooring capable solution for Offshore Construction Vessels (OSCVs), to enhance their operational scope.
The new solution is expected to broaden OSCVs’ functional range to encompass pre-laying of mooring lines in addition to their original suction anchor capabilities.
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The new system integrates an anchor handling winch, shark jaws, and stern rollers into OSCV designs at the newbuild stage.
This allows vessel owners to equip their fleets for a wider range of mooring tasks, addressing the shortage of vessels capable of large-scale mooring installations.
Kongsberg said the incorporation of these features will allow OSCVs to independently manage a greater share of mooring operations with increased efficiency in offshore field development.
Kongsberg Maritime Offshore Construction & Support sales director Runar Hjelle said: “There will be a lack of vessels with subsea crane and sufficient deck area suited to support the planned high volume of both large anchors and mooring lines in the years to come.
“With the addition of this system, OSCVs become a more attractive and efficient solution, especially when there is a shortage of specialised mooring installation vessels.”
The solution is expected to enhance the operational window, enabling OSCVs to undertake more mooring tasks without requiring external support.
This extended capability is anticipated to lead to cost efficiencies for field developers, as fewer vessels are needed for offshore operations.
Safety is also a focus, with the winches and stern rollers designed to facilitate secure over-stern deployment of mooring lines, a technique typically used by anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels.
The system offers flexibility in its installation options, where the winch can either be a permanent fixture or a portable unit loaded on board as required. The shark jaws and stern rollers are permanent additions, the company noted.
The OSCV’s subsea crane, a standard component, further supports these capabilities by handling suction piles and mooring chains, the company said.
The winch package includes a drum for work wire and two cable lifters for managing chain operations.
Last month, PSA Marine and Kongsberg Digital teamed up to improve maritime harbour pilot training using advanced simulator technology.
This collaboration will help PSA Marine’s pilots with the necessary skills to navigate complex maritime operations, including autonomous ships and sustainable propulsion systems.
