ABB Power and Propulsion Package for Orange Marine Cable Layer

Colombo Dockyard has ordered an integrated ABB power and propulsion package for Orange Marine’s cable-laying and repair vessel that will support offshore wind farms.

The vessel will be delivered by Sri Lanka’s shipbuilder in 2023, joining an Orange Marine France fleet which now accounts for 15 per cent of the world’s specialized cable laying and repair ships.

The 100-metre vessel will feature a full power, propulsion, and automation package from ABB, including the Azipod® system. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

The vessel, needed for both cable laying and repair, has been developed by Norway’s Vard Design, a Fincantieri Company, to meet specific priorities on power consumption and performance. Station-keeping accuracy and maneuverability are essential for what can be complex cable laying and repair operations, while the ship also needs relatively high speeds to achieve rapid or urgent deployment, ABB said.

”We look forward to working with ABB on this highly advanced, modern vessel that will no doubt set new standards for cableships in term of superior performance and eco-friendly operations,” said D.V. Abeysinghe, MD & CEO, Colombo Dockyard.

The twin 1.8 megawatt Azipod® units were selected to meet the shipowner’s requirements for high transit speeds with maximum fuel efficiency while providing the 360-degree maneuverability to ensure station-keeping performance even in challenging weather conditions. Also integral to the package is an ABB energy storage system enabling electrical power back-up using 500 kWh batteries, which will reduce fuel consumption during cable work and ensure continuity in the event of an unexpected shutdown.

”Azipod® propulsion was an obvious choice,” said Emmanuel Décugis, New Building Project Manager, Orange Marine.

”It combines optimal maneuverability with reduced power requirements and low emissions. At the same time, being able to integrate different energy sources provides a flexible and future-proof system that will ensure the most efficient vessel operation for many years to come.”

The overall power setup will be controlled by ABB’s Power and Energy Management System (PEMS™), which will also increase fault tolerance and provide a high degree of reliability while ensuring the maximum lifetime for the batteries, ABB said.

Once in operation, the new Orange Marine vessel will accommodate 76 personnel and will be remotely monitored and supported by experts from ABB’s global network of ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations Centers.

Remote support and connectivity, together with advanced data analytics enabled by the ABB Ability™ Remote Diagnostics System, will enhance operational safety and performance, while helping to detect and correct faults promptly on board, ABB said.