Image credit: Image courtesy of Allseas

Following its inauguration ceremony in Rotterdam on 27th February 2015, Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit will start its first job offshore Norway this summer with an integrated Dynamic Positioning (DP) and manoeuvring system based on state-of-the art Kongsberg Maritime technology. The Kongsberg Maritime delivery includes forward and aft bridge systems in addition to an extensive automation network and the HiPAP subsea position reference system.

Eight years in the making, Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit single-lift vessel is the largest construction vessel in the world. Kongsberg Maritime has been involved with this ground-breaking project from near the very start, having been selected by Allseas to provide the Dynamic Positioning system for Pioneering Spirit (then Pieter Schelte) early in 2008.

Pioneering Spirit’s role as a platform installation, decommissioning and pipelay vessel demands the most comprehensive, reliable and feature rich DP and manoeuvring system available. With sea trials already completed in summer 2014, Kongsberg Maritime’s Class 3, fully redundant DP system and other vital systems will next be put through their paces this summer, when Pioneering Spirit starts its first and particularly challenging project, the removal of the ‘Yme’ platform topsides in the North Sea.

The Kongsberg Maritime integrated Dynamic Positioning and manoeuvring concept for Pioneering Spirit relies on a distributed and open system design, which employs a fully backed-up system-wide standardised communication network. The communication network integrates the K-POS Dynamic Positioning, K-Thrust thruster control, K-Bridge Navigation and K-Chief machinery automation systems, into a complete solution with unique positioning and manoeuvring capabilities required for Pioneering Spirit's complex operations.

Tags: Kongsberg Maritime