Ulstein Today no 1, 2005 - Ulstein Group

Developing the traditional offshore design mindset
The ULSTEIN X-BOW marks the
start of a new generation of vessels
When the Ulstein Group and Bourbon Offshore Norway signed a contract for an ULSTEIN AX104 in
April this year, a new bow concept, ULSTEIN X-BOW, was also launched. The bow, which slopes
backwards and has no bulb, will revolutionise the offshore vessels of the future according to the de-
signers at Ulstein Design. They claim that offshore design has been characterised by traditional thinking.
When the Norwegian oil adventure started
in the early 1970s, American-designed
offshore vessels were used during the first
few years. These were essentially designed
for use in the Gulf of Mexico where sea
conditions are quite different to those in
the North Sea. The former Ulstein Group,
headed by CEO Idar Ulstein, quickly realised
that one would have to rely on self-designed
vessels specially tailored for the severe
conditions in the North Sea. The first UT
design was produced by the newly-founded
design company, Ulstein Trading.
OWN DESIGN ENVIRONMENT A NECESSITY
When the Ulstein Group was acquired by
Vickers in 1999, which subsequently was
bought by Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce also
acquired the rights to the UT designs.
The Ulstein Group continued to build
vessels but established its own design
department immediately after the separation.
The new Ulstein Group did not want
to simply focus on shipbuilding where one
often just competes on hours; it wanted
to be involved in the design of advanced
vessels for the future. Having its own design
environment was therefore regarded as
crucial to maintaining the high technological
level of shipbuilding, and the design
department, Ulstein Design, was established
as an independent company in 2000.
MANY ULSTEIN DESIGNS REALISED
In the last five years the company has
developed an extensive portfolio of Ulstein
designs. The portfolio consists of three
series of vessels: the ULSTEIN A series
(anchor handling tug supply vessels), the
ULSTEIN P series (platform supply vessels),
and the ULSTEIN S series (specialised/
multifunctional vessels). Several of the
designs in the portfolio have been realised
or are under construction. “So far four
ULSTEIN A101 design vessels have been
built, and five platform supply vessels
of the design types ULSTEIN P103,
ULSTEIN P105 and ULSTEIN P106.
In addition to this, three platform
supply vessels of the ULSTEIN P105 and
ULSTEIN P101 design types, and two
anchor handling tug supply vessels of the
ULSTEIN AX104 and ULSTEIN A102 types
are under construction,” reports the
president of Ulstein Design, Tore Ulstein.
THE ULSTEIN NAME IS WELL-KNOWN
“Entering an established market as a new
player is difficult, but our reputation helps.
Ulstein is a well-known name as it was we
who at the time revolutionised existing
offshore vessels at the start of the oil era.
Ulstein Verft is also the shipyard that has
built the most UT design offshore vessels.
What was new at that time was that the
freeboard in particular was constructed
much higher and the engine room was
moved forwards in order to free up the
deck behind and ease logistics, thus
establishing the loading and unloading
system used today. A high cargo rail
protected the cargo from the sea.
Gangways along the cargo rail increased
crew safety,” says Ulstein.
DESIGN INNOVATIONS
“Ulstein Design is now building on what the
former Ulstein Group started in the 1970s.
We focus on good sea keeping qualities,
little loss of speed, and optimised hulls both
above and below the waterline with a view
to good movement properties. The tank
arrangement is well suited to achieving
good carrying capacity. We offer a total
package in which the choice of components
and system solutions shall ensure that the
vessel is in demand. Lifecycle costs are
of particular importance in the design
principles and result in a vessel having a
sensible price throughout its entire work-
ing life. This has been a core concept during
the five years Ulstein Design has existed as a
company. We have now gone even further
and launched ULSTEIN X-BOW. We have
also come up with a solution for diesel
electric propulsion for anchor handling
tug supply vessels. These two innovations
will turn how people view offshore vessels
upside down in the future,” claims Ulstein
Design’s design manager, Håvard Stave.
“As far as the hull is concerned, a vessel with
an ULSTEIN X-BOW is completely different
to a traditional vessel. The bow has been
inverted and the hull raised significantly,
while at the same time one has permitted
some dipping,” explains senior designer
hydrodynamics, Øyvind Gjerde Kamsvåg.
“ULSTEIN X-BOW can be incorporated
into all three of the series in the portfolio
but is best suited to medium sized and large
vessels. There must be a minimum height
from the water surface to the bridge deck.
Since most of the vessels in the current
portfolio are of this size, most of them are
suitable for the ULSTEIN X-BOW”.
OPTIONAL BOW FOR ULSTEIN VESSELS
“Are you only going to focus on designs
with the ULSTEIN X-BOW option in the
future?”
“The conventional design will of course live
side by side with the ULSTEIN X-BOW for
a while yet. An ULSTEIN X-BOW does not
make a vessel cheaper to buy, but it will be
cheaper to operate due to the reduction in
fuel consumption. We are prepared for the
fact that some shipowners will be sceptical
about choosing a completely new concept,
and that they will prefer to continue with
something they are familiar with. This is
the shipowner´s choice,” says Stave, adding:
“Our job is to convince the shipowner to
make the choice that is right for him.”
ULSTEIN TODAY NO 1 2005 • Published by: Ulstein Mekaniske Verksted Holding ASA, NO-6067 Ulsteinvik, Tel: +47 7000 8000 • www.ulsteingroup.com
Editor: Øyvind M. Olsen. Assistant editor: Tonje Øyehaug Ruud • Production: Fuglefjellet • Printed at: Viketrykk AS • Photos: Tony Hall and Ulstein
FRONT PAGE: The ULSTEIN AX104 with the spectacular ULSTEIN X-BOW TM marks the beginning of a new era in offshore vessel design.
The new ULSTEIN X-BOW
concept turns the traditional
offshore design upside down