Axis accommodation semi to have Wärtsilä systems

APRIL 17, 2013 — A DP3 dynamically positioned semisubmersible offshore accommodation rig being built in China for Singapore based Axis Offshore is to have a comprehensive, fully integrated power, propulsion and positioning system from Wärtsilä . The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in January by shipbuilder Cosco (Qidong) Offshore Co. Ltd.

According to Axis Offshore, the 500 person capacity unit is being built to Global Maritime’s GM500A design from Global Maritime and will have 22,800 MW of thruster power (6 x 3,800).

Wärtsilä will supply the main power generation system, the propulsion system, the electric and automation system and the automation safety system.

Wärtsilä is responsible for engineering, delivery and commissioning of the integrated solution and will also support the yard on-site during the installation phase. The vessel is expected to enter into service in February 2015 for worldwide operations. Wärtsilä will begin deliveries of its equipment in May 2013.

“By opting for a complete solution from a single supplier taking full responsibility for integrating all the systems into an efficient, optimized solution, the yard’s completion risks of this complex semisubmersible rig are minimized and the owners can expect maximum efficiency with optimal lifecycle costs,” says Magnus Miemois, Vice President Wärtsilä Ship Power Solutions. “Wärtsilä is proud to have been selected to supply this vessel with comprehensive power and positioning systems, which is indicative of the company’s continued market share expansion in the offshore sector.”

While the majority of the solution will be engineered and delivered from Wärtsilä’s delivery centers in Europe, Wärtsilä will send a site management team to the shipyard in Qidong, China, joining in close cooperation with the COSCO project team.