Global Marine conducts cable route survey for Scottish Government’s R100 programme

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September 7, 2021

Global Marine has completed the initial subsea fibre-optic cable route survey scope for the Scottish Government’s Reaching 100% Programme (R100), being delivered by Openreach on behalf of BT.

The Scottish Government-funded R100 project aspires to extend superfast broadband capabilities at speeds of at least 30Mbps to every premises in Scotland.

Utilising the extensive subsea knowledge of our sister company OceanIQ, also part of the Global Marine Group, and specialist service provider Fugro, the cable route surveys are now complete, ahead of the 16-route cable lay. The fibre optic cable installation is scheduled to commence early in 2022 and will be delivered by Global Marine’s multi-purpose vessel, Normand Clipper.

Three survey vessels were mobilised on the project to complete specific scopes of geophysical and geotechnical survey work along the different cable routes. The scope of work also included an Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) assessment. As well as land survey activities, an aerial lidar survey was conducted to acquire topographical and inter-tidal survey data and photogrammetry.

Bruce Neilson-Watts, Managing Director of Global Marine said:

“We are pleased that this initial stage of the project is almost complete. The diverse elements of the subsea survey data will combine together to give a rich and detailed picture of the seabed environment and shallow soils regime, providing essential information to deliver this high-profile project safely and effectively for the long-term benefit of many of Scotland’s residents.”

Mr Neilson-Watts continued:

“With 16 routes throughout the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland, there has been great cooperation between our survey teams and local fisheries, and other users of the sea to ensure safe and efficient working, with minimal disruption to all stakeholders.”

Clive Downing, R100 Programme Director, Scottish Government said:

“We recently announced the start of build for Scottish Government’s R100 North contract area, where 16 new subsea cables will be laid to provide superfast broadband access to some of the hardest-to-reach areas.

“As a result of the R100 North contract many homes and business will benefit from full fibre broadband, far exceeding our superfast commitment and providing future-proofed full fibre connectivity to some of the most rural and remote communities in Scotland. This is something that will make a huge difference to both residents and businesses as we continue to work, learn and access public services remotely.”

“Fugro and Global Marine have successfully mapped out the subsea routes through complex underwater and overhead surveys and this work is the first step in connecting islanders to faster broadband. I look forward to hearing about subsea progress in the upcoming months.”

Robert Thorburn, Openreach partnership director for Scotland, added:

“R100 is a hugely important project and the subsea build is both complex and sensitive. Over this summer, our specialist partners, led by Global Marine, have used innovation and technology – in the air and on land and sea – to gather the extensive, in-depth knowledge we need to design the full fibre network to more islands.”

Rolls-Royce launches a range of sustainable mtu propulsion solutions for yachts

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September 7, 2021

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Rolls-Royce is launching a range of sustainable mtu propulsion solutions for yachts. The first large yachts are already running with mtu systems based on the mtu Series 4000, which are certified for IMO III emissions regulations. Brand new on the market from April 2022 will be mtu Series 2000 propulsion systems with exhaust gas aftertreatment for production yachts.

Nicola Camuffo, who heads the Yacht Competence Centre of Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business unit in La Spezia, Italy, explained:

“More new technologies will follow to help yacht manufacturers and operators achieve their sustainability goals and those of the Paris Climate Agreement.”

Rolls-Royce will present its new mtu solutions at the yacht shows in Cannes and Monaco.

A new generation of mtu Series 16V2000M97L engines will be available with an integrated exhaust aftertreatment system from April 2022. This will enable production yachts to sail in particularly protected areas, for example in ECA zones such as the North American coast, the Caribbean and the North and Baltic Seas. The systems with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units significantly reduce particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions. The IMO III propulsion system will be delivered for the first time this autumn and tested in a production yacht from the beginning of 2022. Further engine variants of the mtu Series 2000 will gradually become available for IMO III operation.

Rolls-Royce will initially offer hybrid solutions for production yachts with mtu Series 2000 engines and variable electric power, which will cover a power range of approximately 1,000 to 1,939 kilowatts per powertrain. In addition to the engines, the system also includes electric motors, gearboxes, batteries, control and monitoring systems and other electronic components. Rolls-Royce’s concept for an mtu series hybrid system comprises a modular building kit with standardized components and concepts for different vessel types and sizes. For yachts, a hybrid system brings high performance and significant gains in terms of comfort – with quiet, low-vibration and low-emission cruising. In purely electric operation, neither sulphur nor nitrogen oxide or particles are emitted.

The yacht engines of the mtu 2000 and 4000 Series will be approved for sustainable EN 15940 fuels such as e-diesel and second-generation biofuels from 2023, enabling climate-neutral cruising. HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), for example, is a biofuel that can be produced from waste in a CO2-neutral way, with low emissions and clean and efficient combustion.

Rolls-Royce Power Systems engineers are working on other new technologies such as fuel cell systems and methanol engines. At its Yacht Competence Centre in La Spezia, the company offers shipyards technical support in the development and integration of new propulsion systems.

Nicola Camuffo explained:

“There will be different propulsion concepts in the future, depending on the specific needs of yacht owners, shipyards and infrastructure. We are happy to exchange ideas with customers and other experts in order to jointly drive innovations forward, for example by means of pilot installations.”

Fugro’s cable route survey helps connect Scottish islanders to faster broadband

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September 7, 2021

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The diverse survey elements have acquired essential Geo-data by air and by sea that will support the Scottish Government’s ‘Reaching 100 %’ programme (R100). Delivered by Openreach on behalf of BT, the R100 programme will have a positive impact on the remote islands’ remote communities and businesses, with 100 % superfast broadband ultimately made available across the country.

Using their innovative RAMMS (Rapid Airborne Multibeam Mapping System) solution, Fugro completed airborne bathymetric data acquisition of the cable landing sites in nearshore areas considered too hazardous, even for small vessels. The resulting high-resolution lidar data and imagery will be used to create a 3D model of the area to facilitate the cable route design and support mission planning. At sea, three specialist survey vessels from Fugro’s fleet performed geophysical and geotechnical surveys of the nearshore and deepwater areas, including 31 landing sites across the remote island network. The project also comprises unidentified ordnance (UXO) hazard surveys, sub-bottom data collection, and land-based sediment sampling. This unique combination of Geo-data acquisition systems and expertise will ensure fast delivery of accurate integrated survey results by mid-October.

Clive Downing, R100 Programme Director, Scottish Government said:

“Digital connectivity has proven to be vital throughout the pandemic and this is something that will make a huge difference to both residents and businesses as we continue to work, learn and access public services remotely. Global Marine and Fugro have successfully mapped out the subsea routes through complex underwater and overhead surveys and this work is the first step in connecting islanders to faster broadband as part of the Scottish Government’s R100 programme for the North Lot contract area.”

Robert Thorburn, Openreach’s partnership director for Scotland, said:

“The subsea element of the R100 build is both complex and sensitive. That’s why we’re so pleased to be working with industry specialists Fugro and Global Marine who are using innovation and technology – in the air and on land and sea – to gather the in-depth knowledge we need to design the full fibre network to more islands.”

World-leading experts to support Ørsted and ATP in bid for the North Sea energy island

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September 7, 2021

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The Danish North Sea energy island is a bold and visionary ambition for developing renewable energy at an unprecedented scale and a step change in delivering on Denmark’s and the EU’s carbon emission reduction targets.

Constructing the world’s first artificial energy island will require collaboration between highly specialised companies with proven track-records within renewable energy development and complex offshore construction.

That’s why Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind, and ATP, Denmark’s largest institutional investor, are now bringing in three world-leading industrial construction experts to support Ørsted and ATP’s bid for the North Sea energy island: Aarsleff, Bouygues, and Van Oord.

The three companies bring extensive design and engineering competences as well as vast experience from complex offshore construction projects around the globe. With these partners on board, the Ørsted-ATP consortium has laid the foundation for a successful delivery of the North Sea energy island which will be a hub for renewable energy, create local jobs, and further strengthen Denmark’s strong position as an exporter of renewable energy solutions.

Aarsleff, the Danish specialist in large-scale projects within infrastructure, climate change adaption, and energy, will be leading the construction work. The company was a key construction partner at the Oresund Link that connects Denmark and Sweden, has led several harbour expansion projects in the Nordics, including the ports of Skagen, Frederikshavn, and Stockholm, and has installed 600 foundations for offshore wind turbines at Horns Rev 2 and London Array Offshore Wind Farm, among others. Aarsleff has a long track-record of working in the North Sea, employs 7,200 people, and is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark.

Bouygues Travaux Publics, an affiliate of Bouygues Construction, the leader in sustainable construction with 58,700 employees and operations in 60 countries. Bouygues bring in world-leading expertise in designing, building and operating large scale offshore constructions, such as bridges, tunnels, and land reclamations. Bouygues has also constructed many complex and record-breaking projects, including the Monaco Offshore Extension and Paris’ first zero-carbon district. Bouygues is headquartered in Paris, France.

Van Oord, the market-leading specialist in marine contracting with more than 150 years of experience. Van Oord employs 5,000 people and focuses on dredging, land-reclamation and offshore wind. The company has constructed the Palm Jumeirah and many other artificial islands and has decades of experience in installation of offshore wind turbines, foundations, and cables. Van Oord has worked with Ørsted on offshore projects in several countries across the globe and is headquartered in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Rasmus Errboe, Head of Continental Europe at Ørsted, says:

“Ørsted has 30 years of experience in working with highly specialised engineering companies in offshore wind. Aarsleff, Bouygues and Van Oord comprise the strongest possible team to support our bid for the Danish North Sea energy island. We are prepared to accelerate the green transition in a new and innovative way which will contribute to the transformation of the Danish energy system and benefit the Danish society whilst providing green solutions for Denmark and our European neighbours. We have selected these world-class suppliers based on their outstanding credentials within sustainability and innovation to make sure that the energy island is constructed with respect for the unique environment in the North Sea and with the highest degree of technical and commercial competences.”

On behalf of the contractors of the consortium, Jesper Kristian Jacobsen, CEO of Per Aarsleff A/S, says:

“The establishment of an energy island in the North Sea is an innovative and groundbreaking project and an important step towards contributing to solving the climate challenges. The complementary expertise of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Van Oord, and Aarsleff within offshore work will make up a strong partnership, and we look forward to contributing to the project together with Ørsted and ATP.”

The North Sea Energy island is expected to be tendered in 2023 where Ørsted and ATP intend to submit a bid.

Wärtsilä to supply complete cargo handling system for new LNG bunkering vessel

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September 7, 2021

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The technology group Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract to supply a complete cargo handling system for a new LNG bunkering vessel. The ship is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore and Engineering shipyard in China for Fratelli Cosulich S.p.A, the Italy based shipping group. The contract with Wärtsilä Gas Solutions was booked in August.

The Wärtsilä system selected for this 8,200 cbm capacity bunkering vessel includes a complete engineering, design and equipment supply package for the cargo handling system, including a loading and discharge system, a boil-off gas (BOG) management control and integrated fuel supply system, as well as the custody transfer and bunkering transfer systems.

Andrea Cosulich, President at Fratelli Cosulich LNG, commented:

“Developing the LNG infrastructure is a key area for us, and we are very pleased to team up with an experienced and market-leading supplier such as Wartsila Gas Solutions for the design and delivery of the cargo system. We fully trust that their competence will secure a reliable and robust design for us.”

Gao Wenbao, CEO of the CIMC SOE shipyard, said:

“The adoption of LNG as marine fuel in increasing, which is having a positive effect on the demands for new LNG bunkering vessels. This is good news for shipyard like SOE, where gas carriers and LNG vessels is a core segment, and we are very pleased to continue our relationship with Wärtsila Gas Solutions on delivering these vessels to the highest standards.”

Pål Steinnes, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, said:

“Our experience in small-scale LNG applications and LNG bunkering design is unmatched, and this latest order endorses Wärtsilä’s position as the market leader in this segment. We are pleased to continue our work in supporting the development of Italy’s LNG fuel supply for shipping, and promoting sustainability throughout the marine industry.”

The Wärtsilä equipment will be delivered commencing in 2022, and the ship is expected to start commercial operations in 2023. It will probably operate around Italy’s coastline in the Mediterranean Sea.

Svitzer Australia awarded towage contract for Royal Australian Navy

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September 7, 2021

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Svitzer Australia, Australia’s leading towage provider, has been announced as the successful tenderer for a long-term contract to provide towage services for the Australian Department of Defence, servicing the Royal Australian Navy.

As the winner of the Defence Marine Support Services Package 3 tender, Svitzer will provide towage services for Australia’s naval fleet, the management of Navy towage assets, and the development of naval personnel training in major ports around Australia.

With a network of over 20 ports nationally and as the largest employer of Australian seafarers, Svitzer Australia will continue to promote and support Australian and local maritime industries and jobs as part of this long-term contract.

Svitzer Australia Managing Director, Nicolaj Noes, said:

“We are honoured to be chosen as the trusted partner to provide essential towage services to the Royal Australian Navy as they undertake their vital duty to serve Australia at sea.

“With our network of ports around Australia, fleet capability and experienced crews, we are well placed to provide a safe, reliable and efficient service for the Navy’s operational and strategic needs.

“We look forward to fostering a strong working relationship with Defence and to providing round-the-clock, responsive support to Navy vessels and personnel as they call at ports around Australia.

“Being part of the local community is central to Svitzer Australia’s role in the ports we operate in, and we look forward to servicing the Navy and investing in our local communities now and into the future. As part of our contract, we are committed to providing strong and continued support to our local communities with a focus on Indigenous engagement, leveraging our local supplier network and partnering with Defence to provide employment opportunities, enriching the Svitzer workforce and enhancing industry capability.

“By tapping into Svitzer’s global experience and local presence, we are well-positioned to deliver navigation and personnel training, which will develop the capabilities of Navy personnel and provide potential employment opportunities for veterans.”

Svitzer has previously supported Defence as a towage subcontractor in several Australian ports and has a long and proven history in Australia, providing flexible and reliable towage services to the highest industry standards to the Australian Defence maritime community.

Wintershall Dea completes appraisal well on the Bergknapp discovery

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September 6, 2021

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Wintershall Dea has completed the drilling of an appraisal well on the Bergknapp oil discovery in the Norwegian Sea.

Drilled from the Deepsea Aberdeen semi-submersible rig, the re-entry and appraisal wells confirmed the oil discoveries in the Garn and Tilje Formations and proved an additional gas accumulation in the Åre Formation. Following the completion of the appraisal well, the size of the Garn and Tilje Formation discoveries is estimated to be between 40 and 84 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent, whereas the Åre Formation is estimated to hold an additional 13 million to 56 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent.

The Bergknapp discovery is located 200 kilometres north of Kristiansund and 8 kilometres west of the Wintershall Dea operated Maria oil field in an area close to existing infrastructure. The licence consortium will now evaluate potential development options.

Hugo Dijkgraaf, Wintershall Dea Chief Technology Officer and responsible board member for Exploration, said:

“We are excited that we have made another discovery in the Haltenbanken area in the Norwegian Sea. We will now work closely with our partners to bring the project to the final investment decision and successfully drive the development of the prospect. The recoverable reserves add up to our growth strategy in the country and enhance our position as a committed partner to Norway.”

The Bergknapp appraisal well is the second operated exploration well for Wintershall Dea in Norway in 2021, following the nearby Dvalin North discovery in PL 211 made in May 2021.

Alv Solheim, Managing Director of Wintershall Dea Norge, said:

“Bergknapp is an important discovery that contributes to our strong position in this area of the Norwegian Shelf. With Maria and the nearby Dvalin field, we already have an established position as a major operator in the Haltenbanken area. Bergknapp and Dvalin North will further strengthen this position.”

The Deepsea Aberdeen rig will now move to the Wintershall Dea operated Vega field in the North Sea.

Wintershall Dea is the operator of the PL 836S Bergknapp license with a 40% share. Partners Spirit Energy and DNO Norge hold 30% each.

Ørsted signs monopile foundation contracts for offshore wind projects

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September 6, 2021

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The two suppliers will be manufacturing a total of 107 monopile foundations for the German projects, including the foundation for the offshore substation for Gode Wind 3. Steelwind Nordenham will be supplying 66 monopiles, while Bladt Industries will be supplying 41 monopiles. In addition, Ørsted has secured call-off rights with Bladt and Steelwind for further volume for other projects, if needed.

Subject to Ørsted’s final investment decisions, Gode Wind 3 and Borkum Riffgrund 3 are expected to become fully operational by 2024 and 2025, respectively. Both projects will be powered by Siemens Gamesa’s 11 MW offshore wind turbines.

To carry the increasingly larger offshore wind turbines, monopile foundations have grown significantly in size over the past decade. The monopiles for future offshore wind farms, including Borkum Riffgrund 3 and Gode Wind 3, will be up to 100 meters long, have a diameter of almost 10 meters, and weigh 1,200 tonnes or more.

Richard Hunter, Chief Operating Officer at Ørsted, says:

“Our global pipeline of offshore wind projects allows us to sign strategic volume contracts with the supply chain to ensure that key components are available to us when we need them. At the same time, by placing large volume orders, we can give suppliers the visibility they need to invest in their manufacturing facilities and build long-term capacity, which will benefit the whole industry and thereby benefit the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.”

Andreas Liessem, Managing Director of Steelwind Nordenham, says:

“With our innovative products and services, we make an important contribution to the sustainable production of renewable energy. The cooperation with Ørsted for the construction of Borkum Riffgrund 3 and Gode Wind 3 proves that Steelwind Nordenham has established itself in the market as a reliable manufacturer of high-quality XL monopiles. We are proud to make a significant contribution to the energy transition with our monopiles, which are made of quality steel from our parent company Dillinger.”

Anders Søe-Jensen, CEO of Bladt Industries, says:

“We are happy to receive the orders from Ørsted, which allows us to continue our long-standing partnership. We consider it a vote of confidence, and we are pleased to continue our support for the green transition together with one of the world’s leading energy companies. The production will create many new jobs in the Odense area in the years to come, and we expect all positions at our new production facility to be occupied from day one. With this order, we strengthen our position as a leading supplier to the offshore wind market.”

Bureau Veritas issues new Guidelines for the Carriage of Containers in Bulk Carriers

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September 6, 2021

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Bureau Veritas (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC), has developed a formalized approach to support the safe carriage of containers in bulk carriers.

BV’s Guidance for Studying and Preparing a Bulk Carrier for the Carriage of Containers provides operators with pathways based on analysis and a thorough understanding of safety, regulatory and operational requirements. The guidance was developed by technical experts based in the Bureau Veritas Piraeus office, in Greece, in collaboration with the Technical Directorate in Paris.

Commenting on the guidance, Piraeus-based Paillette Palaiologou, BV Marine & Offshore’s Vice President for the Hellenic, Black Sea & Adriatic Zone, said:

“We have significant experience and knowledge of bulk carrier design, classification, and operations across BV and particularly here in Greece, where we have numerous clients in the dry cargo market. Additionally, our class rules for container lashing and our own associated lashing software are highly sophisticated. The combination of bulker and boxship capability and understanding has enabled our teams to rapidly provide a framework to meet market requirements as demand emerges for bulkers to be able to carry boxes.”

The guidance outlines two main pathways for stowing containers in holds, either as a ‘block’ of lashed cargo without retrofitting of special container securing fittings, or as more conventional stacks of containers, in which case such equipment may need to be fitted permanently or temporarily.

The IMO Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) for ships that are equipped with a Cargo Securing Manual, provides a key reference point in its Annex 1 “Safe stowage and securing of containers on deck of ships which are not specially designed and fitted for the purpose of carrying containers”, as well as the calculation methods for forces acting on cargo units and the efficiency of securing arrangements.

However, the fact that bulk carriers are “not specially designed and fitted for the purpose of carrying containers”, combined with the potential need to maximize the intake of containers, may raise concerns related to the integrity of the vessel’s structure and the cargo itself, as well as the safety of the crew and the stevedores.

Paillette Palaiologou added:

“In many ways, we are going back to the future, as general cargo and multi-purpose ships have always been able to carry containers. In the context of today’s market demands, the capacity to move containers in bulk carriers is a key advantage. With our guidance, we wish to ensure that modern analysis tools and techniques can be applied to support safety as well as modern operational efficiency.”

Global Offshore awarded array cable installation contract at Parkwind’s OWF

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September 6, 2021

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The scope of work will see Global Offshore carry out the project management and marine engineering; cable protection systems supply and installation, pre and post lay surveys, cable loading and laying, cable burial and post-burial survey.

As part of the turnkey package, Global Offshore’s sister company, OceanIQ, will provide route engineering services for the project, with another of Global Offshore’s sister companies, CWind, providing crew transfer vessels and cable pull-in services.

Global Offshore will be utilising two of Global Marine Group’s versatile cable ships, Normand Clipper and Global Symphony, with work at the site commencing in the second half of 2022.

Mark Gillespie, Managing Director at Global Offshore, said:

“We are delighted to confirm this latest contract win, which will see us to provide the unsurpassed service to Parkwind that our customers have come to expect from Global Offshore. We have been providing cable trenching, installation, burial, management, repair, and maintenance services to the offshore wind industry since the installation of the first European offshore wind farm two decades’ ago.

“With a dedicated in-house engineering department, an experienced project management team, and a wealth of capable offshore personnel, alongside specialist offshore assets, we are confident in our ability to ensure the success of this project.”

Elien Van Winckel, cable package manager at Parkwind said:

“We are pleased to award the Arcadis Ost 1 cable installation contract to Global Offshore. They have been selected for their extensive expertise and know-how in dealing with particularly challenging soil conditions.”

Arcadis Ost 1 is a 257 MW offshore wind project developed by Parkwind. The wind farm will be located in the Baltic Sea, northeast of the island of Rügen in Germany.