Advanced floatel to add ABB OCTOPUS gangway motion monitoring

Edda Fiddes

JUNE 12, 2018 — ABB has won a contract to supply an ABB Ability Marine Advisory System OCTOPUS marine software solution for one of the world’s most advanced floating offshore accommodation vessels.

Delivered by Spanish shipbuilder Astillero HJ Barreras in 2011, the 600 person capacity Edda Fides, operated by Edda Accommodation, is the world’s first purpose build offshore accommodation and service vessel with features that include a telescopic motion compensated gangway and pedestal that can be adjusted at sea,

The OCTOPUS digital solution helps vessel owners gather and analyze data to optimize operations. In the case of Edda Fides, OCTOPUS will provide advice on how to operate the gangway to ensure safe crew and offshore personnel transfers between two free-floating vessels. The system will calculate hydrodynamic parameters and their impact on vessel responses, as well as give insights into maximizing operational uptime within critical motion and acceleration limits.

“We are delighted to have concluded a contract for ABB Marine & Ports’ OCTOPUS solution,” said Johan Rokstad, CEO of Edda Accommodation. “ABB’s digital gangway motion monitoring system is a significant upgrade for Edda Fides, which we believe will raise vessel efficiency, improve crew safety, and provide added value to our customers.”

In addition to enhancing the crew and passenger transfer safety, OCTOPUS will optimize the overall operational performance of Edda Fides. Alarms will provide onboard warnings if pre-set limits are exceeded, while the OCTOPUS Fleet Portal will enable the shoreside operating staff to monitor vessel performance indicators.

“The contract reflects ABB Marine & Ports’ growing involvement in the offshore vessel segment and is the latest manifestation of our ‘Electric. Digital. Connected.’ strategy for the maritime industry,” says Juha Koskela, Managing Director, ABB Marine & Ports. “The OCTOPUS system is scalable and can be extended to provide a range of additional optimization modules for offshore contractors, owners and charterers.”

As floating accommodation units become integral components of complex deep-water offshore projects in harsh environments, safe gangway operations are critical to ensuring the highest standards and maximizing vessel uptime.

ABB won its first order for an OCTOPUS gangway monitoring and forecasting system in 2013, when Poseidon Maritime Services placed a contract for a system installation on board its accommodation vessel Aquarius Brasil. This vessel is currently operating in the deep and often challenging waters of Brazil’s Campos Basin.