The steel cutting ceremony of the first of two DP2 construction service operating vessels (CSOVs) for Acta Marine took place on 18 January at Tersan Shipyard. The vessels will be methanol MDO/HVO powered and are the first to feature Ulstein’s Twin X-Stern design.
The SX216 design of the vessel has been developed exclusively and in close collaboration with Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. The steel cutting is the official kick-off for the construction at the shipyard. Together with the second newbuild CSOV, which will follow three months later, the vessels will be added to the Acta Marine fleet in the second quarter of 2024.
The 89-metre-long vessels will be equipped with an SMST-provided motion-compensated crane and a motion-compensated gangway for safe personnel transfer in significant wave heights up to 3.0 metres. The CSOV provides accommodation facilities for up to 135 people.
In addition to the methanol MDO/HVO engines, the vessels feature a battery power storage system creating further energy efficiency and CO2 reduction.
Also read: Acta Marine goes for methanol for new construction service operating vessels
First Twin X-stern
These vessels are the first contracted to implement Ulstein’s Twin X-stern design. This design has several unique characteristics, but the main distinguishing features of the vessel are the two sterns and main propeller units at each end.
The combination of thrusters and symmetrical hull design results in lower energy consumption and reduced motions, and therefore, higher operability and comfort. This concept dramatically improves the manoeuvrability and ability to stay in position. Further, the design allows for reduced noise, increased comfort on board and the potential to save significant amounts of energy in operation.
The Twin X-stern was recently nominated for the Offshore Support Journal Innovation of the Year Award and the Acta Marine CSOV project is nominated for the Offshore Renewables Award.
Picture by Acta Marine.
Also read: Ulstein develops installation vessel that can handle 5000-tonne foundations
