DSIC Gets DNV GL AiPs for Shuttle Tanker, Crane Unit Designs

China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC) has received approval in principle (AiP) certificates from classification society DNV GL for new shuttle tanker and column-stabilized crane unit designs.

The certificates were handed over at the Marintec China trade fair in Shanghai on December 6.

In response to market indicators signaling an upturn in the shuttle tanker market, DSIC has developed a new 127,000 dwt shuttle tanker design targeted for operation in the North Sea and on the Norwegian Continent Shelf. The design features dynamic positioning (DP2) capacity and a twin propulsion system, and is already in compliance with EEDI Phase 3 regulations, according to DNV GL.

The second AiP has been received for a column-stabilized crane unit with dynamic positioning system. The unit is equipped with two rotary heavy-lift cranes and S-Lay pipe laying system and is capable of performing heavy lifting and pipe laying operations in moderate to harsh environments, including the offshore UK and in the North Sea.

“DSIC and DNV GL have successfully collaborated on joint design development and classification for various ship types and offshore units since the 1980s… Both DSIC and DNV GL will gain from the deeper and broader cooperation that these AiPs represent,” Lu Xiao Hui, Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of DSIC, commented.

“We are pleased and proud to be able to further strengthen our cooperation with DSIC with the presentation of these AiPs, in particular to help them introduce a new design in the promising shuttle tanker segment,” Torgeir Sterri, Regional Manager for Greater China at DNV GL – Maritime, said.

Separately, Finnish technology firm Wärtsilä informed it has signed a joint industry project cooperation (JIP) undertaking with DSIC. The objective of the JIP is to develop a preliminary production level design for the aforementioned shuttle tanker. The deal was signed in October 2017.

By having a ready and an approved shuttle tanker design concept available, the building period can be significantly reduced, as explained by Wärtsilä.

Wärtsilä will provide technical design support for the project. This will include developing an optimized propulsion and thruster solution and machinery with an electric configuration for the vessel’s DP control system.