Suite Technology

GE’s Marine Solutions has been chosen by Shanghai Salvage Bureau (SSB), one of the largest rescue and salvage companies in the world, to provide a suite of marine technologies including power and propulsion equipment, dynamic positioning (DP) and automation and control systems to its newest deep-water dive support vessel (DSV).

The vessel will become the world’s first deep-water DSV with a multi-saturation diving system, the company said. Once delivered, it will enable diving operations to be performed at depths of up to 500 meters and salvage work at 6000 m.

“This vessel will be the best of its class anywhere in the world. The sophisticated electrical system, including an innovative closed-ring arrangement of the propulsion switchboard, is a top priority for us to achieve our design goals. Undoubtedly, reliability of the technology onboard the ship is of paramount importance, and that requires an experienced partner,” saidHuang Yan, project director, SSB. “We are pleased to work with GE to ensure that the deep-water DSV will be one of the most advanced of its kind in the world.”

Particularly in the tough offshore environment and in challenging weather, keeping the vessel “on station” and enabling smooth deep-water operations makes the DP system a critical component, the company said.

The vessel will incorporate GE’s latest technology—SeaStream DP system (Class 3). Using multidirectional thrusters and sensors to monitor real-time wind, current and wave conditions and automatically activate the propulsion units to counteract the environmental forces, the technology will enable the ship’s position and orientation to be safely and efficiently controlled.

GE said its deep-domain expertise in DP has also extended its capability to include fuel usage optimization. GE’s Ecomagination energy-efficient mode uses advanced algorithms to optimize vessel heading and optimize the number of generators needed for operation, further reducing power consumption, operational costs and emissions.

In addition, the vessel will be powered by an electric power and propulsion system, including GE’s 4656-kW generators, switchboards and medium-voltage frequency drive propulsion controllers as well as a vessel automation and control system, all configured for optimum power and propulsion performance. The main propulsion switchboard will be arranged in a closed-ring configuration to get to maximum efficiency and availability.

The ability to provide the full spectrum of marine solutions—from power and propulsion to navigation and positioning and automation and control—within one integrated package is also a key reason why GE was chosen.

“Thanks to the GE Store, we are able to provide a suite of marine technologies through a blend of high competence in one integrated package,” said Tim Schweikert, president & CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions. “This is one of the landmark projects in the offshore marine industry, and we are excited to be part of the journey.”