United Wind Logistics’ module deck carrier VestVind will rely on ABB Ability Marine Advisory System – OCTOPUS.
The solution will support real-time decision making as it transports large windfarm components such as turbines, foundations and blades to offshore installation sites.
By minimizing unwanted vessel motions and accelerations, ABB Ability Marine Advisory System – OCTOPUS software will help protect high-value payloads in transit, at the same time boosting vessel efficiency by optimizing the route based on vessel motions resulting from weather and wave conditions. This will allow the module deck carrier to increase its operational window, during which it will be able to perform tasks safely and efficiently even during weather-sensitive operations.
Installation of ABB’s market-leading solution on board the 130-metre, 10,238-DWT VestVind follows successful application on board United Wind’s module deck carriers BoldWind and BraveWind, both delivered in 2020.
Heavy lift operators like United Wind Logistics are increasingly turning to OCTOPUS for enhanced voyage planning and execution, with ABB estimating that the easy-to-install or retrofit platform supports 90 percent of the semi-submersible heavy lift ships in operation worldwide.
“The benefits of ABB’s marine advisory system continue to prove compelling,” said Christoph Puschmann, Managing Director, United Wind Logistics. “As demand for larger wind farm components grows and we are tasked with transporting heavier and ever-more expensive cargoes, the importance of motion monitoring and forecasting only increases. We look forward to reaping the same safety and efficiency benefits onboard VestVind as we have secured for our newbuildings BoldWind and BraveWind.”
ABB Ability™ Marine Fleet Portal implementation is also as part of the scope, making the benefits of OCTOPUS on board available to stakeholders ashore. The Fleet Portal allows vessel and cargo owners to view the status and location of assets online and gives access to reports sent from ship to server to ensure peace of mind during high-stakes operations.
The number of offshore wind installations worldwide continues to grow, and, according to the International Energy Agency, the global offshore wind capacity may increase 15-fold and attract around $1 trillion of cumulative investment by 2040, driven by decreasing costs, government policies and technological progress, such as larger turbines and floating foundations.
ABB has a long history of supporting wind turbine installation vessels, service operation vessels and cable laying vessels with a wide portfolio of electric, digital and connected solutions.
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