New multi-tasking Ice Class OSD vessels
Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) has unveiled three Ice Class vessel designs for marine services around the development of new arctic ports, terminals and offshore structures.
The vessels will be able to carry out tasks including supply of bulk and break cargo, towing, anchor handling, ice management, personnel transfer, environmental clean-up and safety/stand-by duties.
Herm Jan de Vries, technical manager at OSD, said: “In order to meet these diverse roles, the propulsion plant of the vessels can be adapted to suit the operational profile. Options include installation of controllable-pitch or fixed-pitch propellers, with or without nozzle, driven by a diesel direct, hybrid or full diesel electric power plant.
“The use of podded propellers is also possible. In this way, optimal performance can be achieved in various conditions such as maximum bollard pull, higher speed transfer duties, slow-speed duties for ice management or stand-by duties.”
Three options
The vessels have been designed with three different lengths at 50m, 65m and 80m. They have a bollard pull ranging from 45-70t.
The smallest vessel is best suited for towing and pushing, ice management and anchor handling duties, while the largest vessel is typically aimed at the supply function due to its large deck area and tank space below deck, explained Mr de Vries. It can also be used for light construction and safety standby duties. The middle-sized vessel is suited to a combination of both the smaller and larger vessel’s capabilities.
Development of the designs follows OSD’s delivery of shallow-draft anchor-handling tug supply vessels Arctic and Antarctic for Ark Shipping.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
