Kongsberg Maritime secures contract for advanced systems on new Solstad/SBM Offshore vessel

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to supply state-of-the-art technology and equipment for a cutting-edge deepwater installation and construction vessel owned by Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore. The vessel, to be constructed in China, represents a new era of offshore assets capable of handling complex installation, subsea construction and heavy-duty operations.

Central to the ship's design is its advanced mooring installation and subsea construction capabilities, which are expected to set new standards for performance, efficiency and reliability in the world's most challenging offshore environments.

Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, President of Kongsberg Maritime, emphasized the significance of this contract, stating that it underscores the company's integrated offering and longstanding partnerships across the offshore sector. By integrating energy management, propulsion, dynamic positioning and advanced deck machinery into one cohesive solution, Kongsberg Maritime aims to enhance safety and efficiency in offshore operations.

A standout feature of the project is Kongsberg Maritime's advanced deck machinery package, which includes anchor-handling winches, shark jaws and tow pins designed for chains up to 220 mm, as well as a novel low-tilt ROV launch and recovery system.

The scope of Kongsberg Maritime's involvement encompasses dynamic positioning, thruster control, navigation, bridge and automation systems, along with a complete power and energy package. This package features switchboards, generators, propulsion motors and a substantial battery energy storage system. The propulsion configuration will comprise twin controllable-pitch propeller (CPP) shaftline propulsion, augmented by azimuth thrusters to boost bollard pull, alongside rudder systems and a comprehensive thruster package.

The contract marks the debut delivery of anchor-handling winches powered by Kongsberg Maritime's proprietary permanent magnet motor, the XT140, marking a significant technological advancement. Runar Hjelle, Head of Sales Offshore Handling at Kongsberg Maritime, highlighted that the winch package features the world's largest anchor-handling winch, complemented by two heavy-duty active winches engineered to manage extreme loads with unparalleled precision.

These winches will be seamlessly integrated with the vessel's energy, automation and control systems, facilitating coordinated operations between deck machinery, propulsion and dynamic positioning to ensure stable performance during intricate anchor-handling tasks and intelligent power prioritization for critical functions.

Kongsberg Maritime, in collaboration with IP Huse, boasts a strong partnership with Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore and holds a leading position in the production of large anchor-handling vessels. This contract not only reinforces the company's leading role in the global fleet of such vessels but also underscores Kongsberg Maritime's commitment to delivering high-performance, fully integrated solutions.

Since 2023, Kongsberg Maritime has collaborated with SALT Design, SBM Offshore and Solstad Offshore to develop a vessel suited to the demands of evolving offshore operations. The contract solidifies Kongsberg Maritime's standing in the offshore installation and construction vessel segment and paves the way for additional opportunities in lifecycle support, remote monitoring, and service agreements. The vessel is slated for delivery in the first half of 2029.