Dynamic positioning (DP) systems are crucial for the safe operation of vessels in various industries, such as offshore supply, dive support, and drilling. Failure of the DP system can lead to collisions, injuries, deaths, blowouts, pollution, and fires. To prevent such failures, built-in redundancy is key, which determines the configurations of thrusters, electrical systems, and engines designed to support DP systems. Each vessel has unique operational requirements, and Wärtsilä Marine’s Director of Thrusters and Propulsion Control Systems, Lauri Tiainen, emphasizes the importance of tailored solutions based on vessel type and operational needs.
Wärtsilä’s design philosophy focuses on countering hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces with thrusters, strategically placed and integrated within the hull to optimize propulsion efficiency. The company has introduced new technologies, such as the WST-E thruster family, specifically designed for specialized shallow-water applications. Wärtsilä also offers the OPTI-DP simulation tool and thruster allocation logic to provide detailed insights into thruster interactions and enhance DP capability calculations. ABB’s Marine Pilot Control system utilizes speed-dependent hydrodynamic models to increase energy efficiency in DP operations by proactively planning efficient control strategies.
In the realm of DP optimization for offshore wind operations, Kongsberg Maritime has developed solutions to enhance maneuverability within wind farms, saving fuel, time, and increasing safety. The Tow Assist system enables unpowered floating structures to become DP-enabled for transporting and installing giant floating wind turbines. This system, successfully trialed in the North Sea in 2024, is set to be commercially available in 2025, reducing operational risks in the rapidly maturing floating wind industry.
