ABB to Power Wuchang’s Newbuild

ABB has been selected to deliver electrical propulsion, power, safety and automation systems on a single control system platform for a 5000T heavy-lift pipelay construction vessel.

This is the first time ABB delivers power and propulsion system fully integrated with the 800xA automation solution for this type of vessel. The vessel, will be built by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co. (WSIC).

According to ABB, this type of vessel is used in ultra-deep waters and requires highest levels of accuracy, precision and availability. The ABB response will combine electric propulsion and electrical & automation systems to be integrated and controlled by ABB’s flagship System 800xA distributed control system (DCS) platform.

“Modern ships feature an increasing number of advanced systems, such as power, automation, advisory and safety. When all these systems are integrated, the advantages are significant: reduced investment costs, optimized maintenance, improved power control and equipment availability. The selection of ABB’s integrated solution for a demanding project like this is a strong endorsement of our offering,” says Heikki Soljama, head of ABB’s business unit Marine and Cranes.

The vessel will be delivered in Q1 2018, and is designed for pipelaying, heavy lifting and subsea construction operations and extends expertise into the deepwater market.