New Ice Class designs from OSD target arctic development support

MARCH 6, 2018 — IJmuiden, Netherlands, headquartered Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) has unveiled a new series of Ice Class vessel designs suited for marine services related to the development of new arctic ports, terminals and offshore structures.

A prerequisite for this type of vessel, operating under arctic conditions, is the ability to deal with the presence of first-year or floating ice, cold conditions and less developed shore facilities. Apart from the ability of the vessels to perform their specific tasks, typical design requirements are increased strength, special installations for tank heating and winterization, high maneuverrability and limited draft.

The designs build on the experience gained by OSD in development of the shallow-draft anchor-handling tug supply vessels Arctic and Antarctic for Ark Shipping.

Arctic and Antarctic were designed in close co-operation with the owner, have a Bureau Veritas 1A Ice Class Notation, and are fully equipped to operate in the challenging and extreme conditions of the Caspian Sea, where ice formation of around 80 cm during the winter period is not exceptional.

“We have incorporated feedback from our clients into the designs,” says OSD Technical Manager Herm Jan de Vries, technical manager at OSD. “The new OSD ice-class series is a response to identified market needs, covering a variety of tasks, such as supply of bulk and break cargo, towing, anchor handling, ice management, personnel transfer, environmental clean-up and safety/stand-by duties.

“To meet these diverse roles, the propulsion plant of the vessels can be adapted to suit the operational profile. Options include installation of controllable-pitch or fixed-pitch propellers, with or without nozzle, driven by a diesel direct, hybrid or full diesel electric power plant. The use of podded propellers is also possible. In this way, optimal performance can be achieved in various conditions such as maximum bollard pull, higher speed transfer duties, slow-speed duties for ice management or stand-by duties.”

The designs are available, as standard, in three different lengths of 50 m, 65 m and 80 m, and have a bollard pull ranging from 45 up to 70 tonnes.

“Due to the limited length and cargo capacities,” says de Vries, “the smaller design is best suited for towing and pushing, ice management and anchor handling duties. The middle design brings the best of both worlds, while the larger design is typically aimed at the supply function, having a large deck area and ample tank space below deck. However, it can also perform light construction and safety standby duties.”