Kongsberg Maritime - Experts & Thought Leaders

Kongsberg Maritime is pleased to announce that it has secured a contract to supply an integrated package of equipment for a new Offshore Support Vessel being built for ship owner - DOF. The new 110 metre OSV, with a capacity to accommodate 164 people, is designed by MMC Ship Design and constructed at CRIST shipyard in Gdynia, Poland. Offshore power evolution The vessel will be equipped with a comprehensive range of Kongsberg Maritime systems The vessel will operate offshore Newfoundland, known for its harsh environmental conditions. It will be equipped with a comprehensive range of Kongsberg Maritime systems, including the DC main switchboard, battery hybrid system, main power generator, thruster induction motor, and distribution transformer. One of the biggest features is the DC electric system, which offers several compelling advantages over traditional AC systems, including enhanced energy efficiency, reduced space and weight requirements, improved power quality, and better dynamic response.  These benefits make DC electrical systems increasingly favoured for modern offshore vessels, particularly those focused on energy efficiency, hybrid propulsion, and advanced operational capabilities. Powering innovation Kongsberg Maritime’s battery-hybrid propulsion system will comprise two 1MWh battery packs, this advanced system will be complemented by a DC electric system designed to ensure the highest operational efficiency. With these innovations, the new ship is set to achieve fuel savings of up to 35% compared to similar vessels, marking a significant step forward in sustainable maritime technology. DOF has also selected a range of Kongsberg Maritime technology to support its offshore operations, for navigation, automation and control systems, as well as the company’s K-Pos Dynamic Positioning system.

Kongsberg Maritime has signed a significant contract for the design of two multipurpose subsea vessels. The UT7623 SEV (Sustainable Energy Vessel) vessels will be methanol-ready and feature battery hybrid technology. These vessels are the first references for Kongsberg Maritime’s latest subsea construction vessel designs and will feature a fully integrated package of technology including rim-drive propulsion, hybrid power and winch systems. UT7623 SEV vessels UT7623 SEV vessels are designed in alliance with Olympic and are set to be the most energy-efficient The UT7623 SEV vessels are designed in close collaboration with Olympic and are set to be the most energy-efficient in their category. The extensive package of integrated technology from Kongsberg Maritime includes rim-drive electric azimuth propulsion, retractable azimuth bow thrusters, switchboards and thruster drives.  Advanced offshore operations Hybrid battery power, an integrated bridge system, automation and control systems, dynamic positioning system, tank sounding, mooring winches and an overhead ROV launch and recovery system (LARS) are also included. Kongsberg Maritime's expertise as an integrator ensures that these vessels are built for multiple purposes and optimised for advanced offshore operations under rough conditions, providing Olympic with unparalleled performance and efficiency. New standards for sustainable offshore operations Olympic has taken a role in the transition to environmentally and climate-friendly vessels Olympic has taken a pioneering role in the transition to environmentally and climate-friendly vessels. The UT7623 SEV vessels are a testament to this commitment, marking a new milestone in the company’s journey towards more sustainable operations. "At Olympic, we have always been at the forefront of innovation, setting new standards for sustainable offshore operations. The UT7623 SEV vessels build on our long-standing experience in renewable energy and oil and gas, offering unmatched flexibility and efficiency. With Kongsberg Maritime’s cutting-edge technology, we are once again delivering vessels that lead the industry forward," says Stig Remøy, CEO & President, Olympic. New benchmarks in energy efficiency The vessels will be constructed at the CMHI shipyard in Shenzhen, China, with delivery scheduled for the summer of 2027. They will operate in both the renewable energy and oil and gas sectors, featuring advanced technologies that significantly exceed the requirements of the Paris Agreement. The UT7623 SEV vessels are methanol-ready dual fuel, setting new benchmarks in the industry for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability UT7623 SEV vessels are methanol-ready dual fuel, setting new benchmarks in the industry "We are excited to deliver the UT7623 SEV vessels to Olympic," says Per Kristian Furø, Sales Director at Kongsberg Maritime. "These vessels represent the latest offering from our extensive ship design portfolio. They are methanol-ready dual fuel, and have a fully electric propulsion system, setting new benchmarks in the industry for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability." Qualities of next-generation ships Kristian Furø added: "This new design exemplifies the qualities of next-generation ships through their innovative design, environmental sustainability, operational efficiency, and economic impact." "They are vessels that not only meet but exceed the demands of modern offshore operations and will do so with extremely low fuel consumption.”

As the supplier of marine coatings, Jotun partners with a broad range of stakeholders working to decarbonise shipping. But is the industry moving fast enough? Jotun’s President and CEO Morten Fon shares his views on how leadership, innovation and collaboration can accelerate the transition to a low carbon future. From his corner office on the seventh floor of Jotun’s Headquarters and R&D Centre, Morten Fon, Jotun’s President and CEO, has stunning views of the marine traffic going in and out of the port of Sandefjord, Norway. While the BREEAM-NOR-certified building is new (completed in 2020) Fon’s view would be familiar to the company’s founder, Odd Gleditsch sen., who established the company on the same piece of land in 1926. Reducing harmful emissions “Jotun’s roots in the maritime industry stretch back almost a century, so we have lived through a great many challenges in this highly cyclical industry,” he says. “But in my view, how the industry manages climate change over the next decade will have an enormous impact on how the industry operates for generations to come.” While Fon acknowledges that the industry still has a long way to go to reach IMO GHG targets (which call for a reduction in carbon intensity by at least 40 per cent by 2030 compared to 2008), he sees some encouraging signs of change. “In addition to embracing new technologies, more stakeholders than ever before are working in partnership on ambitious projects to reduce harmful emissions.” Commercialising alternative fuels Fon supports all these efforts, many of which are focussed on developing and commercialising alternative fuels for ships. But he notes that it will take time before the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet the existing demands of the world fleet. And time is running out. Morten Fon, President and CEO, Jotun said ”As a leader in hull performance, we are focussed on where we can make a difference,” he says. “After all, maintaining a cleaner hull with minimal fouling means a vessel has less resistance when sailing through water, reducing the amount fuel required to achieve the same speed. And less fuel burned results in lower emissions. But we also see we can have a greater impact by working with others.” Propeller performance standard “In fact, Jotun has a long history of collaboration. Many Jotun product innovations involve partnerships with owners and shipyards, while others involve cooperation with technical partners and relevant stakeholders in both the private and public sectors.” “For example, in 2013, Jotun helped form an ISO working group made of 53 experts to develop the industry’s first hull and propeller performance standard (ISO 19030), released in 2016. And last year, Jotun joined the Clean Hull Initiative (CHI), which aims to develop a global standard for proactive hull cleaning in international shipping.Creating standards gives owners the tools to measure performance,” says Fon. “And what can be measured can be managed.” Proactive hull cleaning solution As a pioneer in proactive hull cleaning, Jotun is a key partner in the CHI As a pioneer in proactive hull cleaning, Jotun is a key partner in the CHI. In fact, Jotun launched Hull Skating Solutions (HSS), the world first proactive hull cleaning solution, in 2020. HSS includes a remotely operated underwater hull cleaning unit (the Jotun HullSkater), which uses non-abrasive brushes to remove fouling before it can attach to the hull, without damaging the antifouling coating. To develop this technology, Jotun worked with a team of partners, including Kongsberg Maritime, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Semcon, Telenor and DNV. “HSS is a good example of how partnerships are key to developing unique solutions to help industry improve environmental performance,” he says. “HSS not only maintains an always clean hull it lowers the risk of spreading invasive species, which can wreak havoc on local marine eco-systems. Protection of biodiversity goes hand in hand with decarbonisation in the shipping industry, and both require a clean hull and attention to biofouling management.” Sharing standardised reports Fon is also encouraged by the industry’s embrace of data-driven services to improve performance. “Increasingly strict regulations, combined with growing pressure from cargo owners to lower emissions, have resulted in more focus on transparency,” he says. “To achieve compliance and become more competitive, owners have to be able to measure, record and share standardised reports on emissions and the condition of their hulls.” The ability to document regulatory compliance extends to protecting sensitive marine eco-systems The ability to document regulatory compliance extends to protecting sensitive marine eco-systems. “Many countries have become more sensitive to invasive species and will deny port access to vessels who cannot document a clean hull,” says Fon. “Good biofouling management policies and the tools to measure and report on performance, will help owners avoid the so called ‘dirty hull syndrome’, a growing issue for owners.” Offering enhanced services Fon says that with the launch of Jotun’s Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) in 2010, the company got an early start on developing its own digital services. “In addition to our premium hull coating SeaQuantum x200 and high-end technical service, HPS includes a performance-based guarantee, calculated using data taken from onboard sensors,” he explains. “Access to this data not only allowed us to verify HPS performance, it gave us some real insight into hull performance over time adding to our understanding and expertise.” With more than 1,400 HPS applications to date, Jotun now has the industry’s most extensive database on hull performance. “Based on data collected over a decade, we have developed advanced algorithms on hull efficiency to offer enhanced services, such as the Business Impact Calculator and Jotun Voyager, a decision support tool helping customers select the right hull coatings for individual trades,“ he says. Optimising hull performance “And last year, we launched HullKeeper, a digital platform to help ship operators optimise hull performance, using remotely operated inspection drones, ROVs and other technologies, regardless of the applied coating.“ When asked if all these investments in hull cleaning robots and digital services means Jotun is changing its business model, Fon laughs. “Never!” he says. “Everything we do supports our core offering: Marine coatings. That’s why we invested in one of the most advanced R&D facilities in Norway,” he adds, gesturing at the gleaming white building visible next door. “We have over 100 chemists working every day to develop next generation products to meet the evolving demands of the industry and remain committed to solving the industry challenges today, and tomorrow.” Improving energy efficiency Fon acknowledges that managing biofouling represents only a small piece of the decarbonisation puzzle Fon acknowledges that managing biofouling represents only a small piece of the decarbonisation puzzle. To achieve meaningful change, Fon believes owners need common global regulations and more support from the public sector to accelerate the green energy shift. In the meantime, owners would be wise to consider an “all of the above” approach to improving energy efficiency. “As we will see at Nor Shipping 2023, there are a lot of solutions out there but in my view, investing in premium hull coatings is ‘low hanging fruit’, especially now that regulations on emissions and biofouling guidelines are tightening and bunkering costs remain high,” he says. “Owners have to paint the hulls of their vessels anyway, so why not choose a hull coating that is not only proven to reduce fuel costs and corresponding emissions, but can help them compete for high value cargoes by keeping their CII ratings high?” Jotun hull performance coatings In fact, Jotun has calculated (based on EU MRV data) that HPS helps lower carbon intensity by an average of about 20 per cent per year, and, depending on the trade, can expect a return on investment in about the same time period. “Even when more expensive alternative fuels become available, clean hulls will help owners maintain operational efficiency and profitability and limit the risk of invasive species,” Fon says. “We calculated that in 2022 alone, ships using Jotun hull performance coatings avoided 7.9 million tonnes of C02 emissions, so the impact is significant.” Expensive alternative fuels Fon is realistic about the challenges that face the industry, but insists that leadership, innovation and collaboration are the way forward. “We see ourselves as part of the solution, but we also know that by working with other industry players, we can maximise our impact,” says Fon. “At Jotun, we are committed to being a part of the solution and Nor-Shipping is a great place to make new friends!”