Emerson’s Control Technologies Help Maintain Stability for World’s Largest Semi-Submersible Heavy Transport Vessel
Dockwise, a global leader in the transport and offshore installation of
extremely large and heavy structures, has selected Emerson Process
Management, a business of Emerson (NYSE: EMR), to supply the control
systems that help maintain stability and structural integrity for
Dockwise’s semi-submersible heavy transport vessel, the largest of its
kind in the world.
Named Dockwise Vanguard, the new vessel is designed for heavy marine
transport and offshore dry docking, enabling oil and gas operators to
design and build larger and heavier offshore structures such as Floating
Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. Because of the
Dockwise Vanguard’s loading capacity of up to 110,000 metric tons and
its bowless design, it is now possible to fabricate these megastructures
and load and transport them intact to remote offshore wells or
production sites. This helps cut costs, lower risks, improve schedule
flexibility and reduce offshore man-hours required to get these
megastructures into operation.
Emerson supplies a comprehensive ballast control system, which is
responsible for helping the Dockwise Vanguard submerge and rise with
stability and integrity. It relies on tank gauging systems that provide
highly accurate level measurements for load calculations as well as high
level and overfill alarms. The Dockwise Vanguard also uses Emerson’s
Smart Wireless technology to measure and transmit tank level data to the
wheelhouse.
“Emerson’s reliable and highly sophisticated ballast control
technologies are an important factor in allowing us to provide this
first-of-its-kind carrying capacity, as well as provide a dry dock
capability at offshore production sites for repair and retrofit, which
saves significant time and money,” says Eugène van Dodeweerd, Manager,
Fleet Supervision of Dockwise. “Conditions in the offshore environment
require ballast control that is also easy to operate and maintain and
Emerson has proven the reliability of its marine tank management systems
on a number of other Dockwise vessels.”
“The design and execution of the Dockwise Vanguard fits in perfectly
with Emerson’s ‘Never Been Done Before’ goals. This vessel redefines the
entire Heavy Marine Transport industry,” said Steve Sonnenberg,
president of Emerson Process Management. “We are proud of our
contribution to the ballast systems of this innovative vessel.”
The Dockwise Vanguard was awarded a 2012 Spotlight on New Technology
Award by the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) which recognizes
innovations that are leading the industry into the future.
Photos available: http://www2.emersonprocess.com/en-US/news/pr/Pages/1305-Dockwise.aspx
About Emerson Process Management
Emerson Process Management (www.emersonprocess.com),
an Emerson business, is a leader in helping businesses automate their
production, processing and distribution in the chemical, oil and gas,
refining, pulp and paper, power, water and wastewater treatment, mining
and metals, food and beverage, life sciences and other industries. The
company combines superior products and technology with industry-specific
engineering, consulting, project management and maintenance services.
Its brands include PlantWeb™, Damcos®, Syncade™, DeltaV™, Fisher®, Micro
Motion®, Rosemount®, Daniel™, Ovation™, and AMS Suite.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global
leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide
innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and
consumer markets around the world. The company is comprised of five
business segments: Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network
Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions.
Sales in fiscal 2012 were $24.4 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.