Rolls-Royce has recently signed a contract with Italian offshore vessel shipbuilder Vard for the supply and installation of DP3-rated dynamic poisoning systems for two offshore construction vessels.
The two vessels are being built for Norwegian marine services provider Farstard Shipping at Vard's shipyard in Langsten, Norway. Delivery is expected in the first half of 2015.
Rolls-Royce will also supply the engines, thrusters, propulsion systems, steering gears, and rudders for each vessel.
"Dynamic positioning (DP) control systems allow vessels to be held in an exact position when anchoring is not possible," explained Rolls-Royce. "This is achieved by using satellite technology to enable automatic control of the vessel's thrusters.
DP systems with DP3-level classification are currently the most advanced defined by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The Farstad order is the first Rolls-Royce contract for a DP3 system, and the company expects a growing demand for DP3-classed vessels as the number of offshore operations requiring precise positioning without the use of anchor systems increases – especially in the oil and gas sector's current climate of increased focus on risk limitation.
"Vessels constructed to DP3 standards are able to operate in very demanding situations where any loss of position has the potential to result in fatal accidents, severe pollution or damage with major economic consequences," concluded Rolls-Royce.
