Two US Navy AGOR Vessels to Get Siemens’ Diesel Electric Propulsion

Siemens Industry, Inc. yesterday announced that it has been awarded a contract to equip two U.S. Navy Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) vessels with its unique diesel electric propulsion solution at Dakota Creek Industries Inc. (DCI), located in Anacortes, Wash.

Seattle-based Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering firm Guido Perla & Associates, Inc. (GPA) will design the ships. The total order value is more than $10 million.

“Siemens’ dedication to supporting Dakota Creek Industries exemplifies a true solutions-based success story and we are pleased to partner with DCI and GPA in building these innovative vessels,” says Doug Keith, president, Drive Technologies division, Siemens Industry, Inc. “Our partnership has resulted in a unique design that exceeds the Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) desired operational profile.”

The two advanced oceanographic research vessels, AGOR 27 and 28, will be outfitted with the Siemens Blue(TM) multi-drive low-voltage system which improves reliability due to failsafe features that will help the vessel owner lower maintenance costs, increase efficiency and increase operational ease for the vessel and crew. The ship’s advanced design will also decrease fuel consumption, resulting in reduced emissions of harmful greenhouse gases.

Siemens will provide the main generators, main propulsion and thruster motors, switchboards, power management system and its Siemens automation system for alarm, monitoring and control functions, in addition to other condition-based monitoring systems for improved maintenance and reliability. Siemens is responsible for designing, engineering, project managing and commissioning for the diesel electric and automation system.

Designed as single-hull ships, AGOR 27 and AGOR 28 are each approximately 238 feet long and incorporate the latest technologies, including high-efficiency diesel engines, emissions controls for stack gasses, new information technology tools both for monitoring shipboard systems and for communicating with the world, and hull coatings to reduce maintenance requirements. Each vessel will operate with a crew of 20 with accommodations for 24 scientists.

The construction phase will last 30 to 36 months per ship with delivery expected in late 2014 and early 2015. Once delivered to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, respectively, the ships will allow scientists to continue with ongoing research efforts in the Atlantic, western Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.

Dakota Creek Industries is a complete shipbuilding and repair facility specializing in construction and repair of steel and aluminum vessels up to 400 feet. Previous and current construction projects include tug boats, offshore support vessels, research vessels, fireboats, ferries and fishing vessels. The company’s deep water location on Guemes channel in the Puget Sound provides easy access to its facilities, which include a Syncrolift ship lift and a dry dock.

NAVSEA, which has a force of 60,000 civilian, military and contract support personnel, is the largest of the Navy’s five system commands. With a fiscal year budget of nearly $30 million, NAVSEA accounts for one quarter of the Navy’s entire budget. It engineers, builds, buys and maintains the Navy’s ships, submarines and combat systems.

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Source: Siemens, May 9, 2012; Image: GPA