Maxwell anchoring system for new offshore USVs

Ten of the new vessels are being built by the Tuco Marine Group in Denmark for Ørsted, whom Maxwell has been working with for some time on a suitable design.

The prototype has now successfully completed trials in Norwegian and Danish waters, working at times in hurricane force winds. The first finalised build will be launched by the end of 2023.

“These vessels will help lower emissions and the uncertainties in the expected annual energy production for new offshore wind farms,” said Thierry Vermeer, sales manager of Maxwell Marine.

“Maxwell has always shown great initiatives in the field of sustainability and the project was a strong example of how the company’s team of exceptional engineers could provide the best solution for every anchoring challenge presented to us.”

The Maxwell anchoring system will have fully autonomous operation (windlass and roller stopper) and the ability to retrieve very long lengths of chain. This requires the system to be capable of dealing with exceptionally high forces in extreme weather conditions.

With the USVs spending at least half a year at sea, with no human intervention, low maintenance needs are also essential.

The USVs will bring measurement equipment to and from offshore sites without the need for large, specialised support vessels, substantially cutting fuel emissions.

While on site, they will operate autonomously for extended periods of time, measuring large amounts of data that can be sent onshore and processed in real time.