Kongsberg - Experts & Thought Leaders

In a ceremony in Rauma, Finland, Damen Shipyards Group and Kongsberg Maritime celebrated the delivery of the 1500th Kongsberg azimuth thruster to Damen, in a relationship spanning more than 40 years. This latest delivery continues the supply of azimuth thrusters for Damen’s wide range of tug designs, operating for its customers in ports across the world. Thruster number 1500 is one of a pair that will be installed on a Damen ASD Tug 2813, currently under construction at Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam. Azimuth thruster technology Speaking at the event, Ville Rimpilä, Senior Vice President of Thrusters at Kongsberg Maritime said, "Today marks a special milestone in our long, collaborative relationship with Damen, one of the world’s leading and most innovative tug builders." He adds, "Our azimuth thruster technology is a critical part of global shipping operations, offering high thrust and efficiency to tug owners worldwide." Efficient, safe, and sustainable future Ville Rimpilä continues, "To have reached 1500 thrusters is a testament to the trust which Damen places in Kongsberg Maritime, matched by the pride, dedication, and focus on quality, that goes into every single thruster we supply." He further states, "I express my sincere gratitude to the team at Damen and look forward to continuing this long relationship as together we drive the efficient, safe, and sustainable future of the global tug sector." Quality and capability Martin de Bruijn, Managing Director of Damen Workboats, said, "At Damen, we take a long-term view in all that we do. You can see this in the long-standing relationships we enjoy with our clients, and with partners such as Kongsberg." He adds, "The continual evolution of our products is dependent on such partnerships and their products. As such, we fully appreciate the quality and capability that Kongsberg helps bring to our tugs." Cost-effective solutions Martin de Bruijn continues, "We are also grateful for their strong client focus and the way Kongsberg supports Damen's operational excellence initiatives, resulting in shorter lead times and optimised processes. These are crucial factors in the development of high-standard, cost-effective solutions relevant to our clients’ needs." He further states, "This collaborative approach has never been as important as it is today, as we fix our sights on optimising the safe and sustainable performance of our vessels. We look forward to our continued cooperation in the years ahead and the delivery of the next 1500 thrusters!"

Kongsberg Discovery and Kongsberg Maritime have been chosen as the exclusive suppliers of marine scientific equipment, oceanographic handling systems, and deck machinery for two new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) charting and mapping vessels, the Surveyor and Navigator. The vessels are being constructed by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, a shipbuilding company based in Louisiana, USA. Ships feature The ships feature an advanced array of technology from Kongsberg Discovery to map, monitor, and safeguard the marine environment, supporting mariners, commerce, and aquatic life. Kongsberg Maritime's state-of-the-art oceanographic handling, anchoring, and mooring systems are incorporated into the design of the new vessels to enhance their operational efficiency and performance. Mission critical role The Surveyor and Navigator mark the next generation of NOAA multi-mission platforms With launch dates of 2027 and 2028, the Surveyor and Navigator (contracted at a combined value of USD 624.6 million) mark the next generation of NOAA multi-mission platforms, with a primary mission of hydrography utilising the latest technology for mapping and characterising the United States Economic Zone. Kongsberg Discovery has a key role to play. Integrated package of solutions Kongsberg Discovery US, the US office of the Norwegian technology company Kongsberg Discovery A/S is delivering an integrated package of solutions, including state-of-the-art sonars for high-resolution ocean mapping from coastal waters to full ocean depth: EM 2040 and EM 304 multibeam echo sounders, SBP 29 sub-bottom profilers, and EK 80 split beam echo sounders.  When used together, these systems provide the ability to collect high-quality bathymetry and seabed backscatter, deep penetration high-resolution sub-seabed structure; and water column structure and calibrated backscatter, which allows for the study of physical phenomena, biomass concentration, and migration, as well as detect seafloor gaseous anomalies like methane seeps. Unlocking ambition "It is truly an honour to be selected for these trailblazing ships, which will have such an important role in serving the nation for decades to come," comments Meme Lobecker, Technical Sales Manager, Kongsberg Discovery, adding, "Our technology has been developed to deliver outstanding results in the most demanding conditions, unlocking true understanding of the ocean depths for the good of society, security, and the environment." Kongsberg Discovery innovations Meme Lobecker continues, "As such, this contract encapsulates the core of our purpose, demonstrating how Kongsberg Discovery innovations help customers meet their most ambitious objectives. We’re delighted to have been chosen as a trusted scientific supplier and integrator by both NOAA and the team at Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors." Significant project The delivery of a complete integrated scientific handling system enabling safe and efficient operations Kongsberg Maritime’s contract, worth 123m NOK (USD 11.25m) for the two ship programmes, signed with Thoma-Sea, includes an option to supply two further vessels. The supply contract will see the delivery of a complete integrated scientific handling system enabling safe and efficient operations with cables up to 5,000 metres in length. The scientific winch system comprises two Hydrographic winches, one Brailing winch, and a comprehensive arrangement of sheaves for cable routing between units. Overboard handling units The delivery also includes overboard handling units: one Stern A-frame and one CTD Handling Gear, including a common Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU), as well as Main- and store cranes. The control system, fully developed and maintained in-house by KONGSBERG, features KONGSBERG’s proprietary predictive active heave compensation (AHC) algorithm providing accurate winch system response matched to vessel motion, by aid of KONGSBERG’s motion reference unit (MRU). Kongsberg Maritime is also supplying the anchoring and mooring systems for both vessels. Mission-critical technology "We are delighted to have been selected by NOAA and Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors for this significant project," said Aileen Kehoe, VP of Sales – Special Vessels – Navy, at Kongsberg Maritime. Aileen Kehoe adds, "Kongsberg Maritime supplies a wide range of mission-critical technology to many of the world’s most advanced oceanographic research ships, and we’re delighted to have been selected for these two latest vessels which will carry out essential scientific research duties for the USA." Future focus The ships will primarily focus on ocean mapping and nautical charting, acquiring, and processing large data sets Once operational, the ships will primarily focus on ocean mapping and nautical charting, acquiring, and processing large data sets to help mariners navigate US ports and harbours. Further missions will include collecting data for oceanographic monitoring, research, and modeling activities while supporting coastal resource management and the nation’s blue economy. Underwater robotics and sensor technology "Creating the nation’s nautical charts is one of NOAA’s oldest responsibilities," said Sin Suen, Program Manager for NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, adding, "These new vessels will carry on that mission and having the latest technology and systems aboard is critical to their success." Kongsberg Discovery launched as a standalone business in April 2023, building on decades of experience within KONGSBERG to create a market leader focusing exclusively on cutting-edge underwater robotics and sensor technology.

Robert Allan Ltd. is pleased to announce that the RAmparts 2300 tug SN Cariri was successfully delivered to Sulnorte Serviços Maritimos in August 2024. The RAmparts 2300 series tug was recently completed at Estaleiro Rio Maguari (ERM) in Belém, Brazil. As the seventh RAmparts 2300 built by ERM in recent months, it showcases the success of their tug construction program based on Robert Allan Ltd.’s designs. This design also marks an important milestone for both Robert Allan Ltd. and Sulnorte, signifying a new beginning in their partnership with the introduction of modern vessels. Delivering exceptional maneuverability The RAmparts 2300 series features compact yet powerful Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboats measuring around 23 meters in length. Despite their small size, they are equipped with high-performance twin diesel engines driving azimuthing thrusters—that deliver exceptional maneuverability and significant bollard pull, making them ideal for demanding harbor tasks. Crew safety and comfort are prioritized through modern accommodations and advanced navigation and communication equipment, maximizing power and efficiency within a compact hull without compromising crew well-being. Particulars of SN Cariri are: Length overall: 23.2 m Beam, moulded: 11.4 m Depth, moulded: 4.4 m Gross tonnage: 298 Maximizing power and efficiency The tug was designed and constructed to comply with all applicable Rules and Regulations of American Bureau of Shipping, to the Class Notation: ✠ A1 Towing Vessel, ✠ AMS, ABCU, Unrestricted Navigation Tank capacities are as follows: Fuel oil: 65 m³ Potable water: 12 m³ Sea trial results showed that the SN Cariri achieved and surpassed all requirements to the design: Bollard pull, ahead: 63 tonnes Free running speed, ahead: 12 knots Five crew members On the main deck, the Master cabin is situated alongside the galley and mess On the main deck, the Master cabin is situated alongside the galley and mess, while the lower deck houses three cabins accommodating five crew members, including single cabin for the Chief Engineer. The tug’s propulsion consists of two Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines—each IMO Tier II certified and rated at 1,641 kW at 1,600 rpm—driving Kongsberg US205S FP Z-drive units with 2,400 mm diameter propellers. The electrical system includes two Caterpillar C4.4 diesel generators, each producing 99 ekW at 230 V, 3-phase, 60 Hz. For ship handling, the bow features one tier of 800 mm OD × 400 mm ID cylindrical fenders at the main deck level, a 480 mm × 300 mm “W”-fender below it and at the stern, and 300 mm “D”-fenders along the sheer lines of the main deck. Deck machinery includes a Kraaijeveld windlass/hawser winch forward and tow hook aft.