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OSD OFFERS NEW SERIES OF ICE CLASS DESIGNS
Offshore Ship Designers (OSD) has unveiled a new series of Ice Class vessel designs, especially suited for marine
services around the development of new arctic ports, terminals and offshore structures.
A prerequisite for this type of vessel, operating under arctic conditions, is the ability to deal with the
presence of first-year or floating ice, cold conditions and less developed shore facilities. Apart from the ability of
the vessels to perform their specific tasks, typical design requirements are increased strength, special
installations for tank heating and winterization, high manoeuvrability and limited draft.
Development of this series of designs follows the extensive experience OSD has gained with the development
of the shallow-draft anchor-handling tug supply vessels Arctic and Antarctic for Ark Shipping. Arctic and
Antarctic were designed in close co-operation with the owner, have a Bureau Veritas 1A Ice Class Notation, and
are fully equipped to operate in the challenging and extreme conditions of the Caspian Sea, where ice formation
of around 80 cm during the winter period is not exceptional.
Herm Jan de Vries, technical manager at OSD, explains: “We have incorporated feedback from our clients into
the designs. As such, the new OSD ice-class series is a response to identified market needs, covering a variety of
tasks, such as supply of bulk and break cargo, towing, anchor handling, ice management, personnel transfer,
environmental clean-up and safety/stand-by duties.
“In order to meet these diverse roles, the propulsion plant of the vessels can be adapted to suit the
operational profile. Options include installation of controllable-pitch or fixed-pitch propellers, with or without
nozzle, driven by a diesel direct, hybrid or full diesel electric power plant. The use of podded propellers is also
possible. In this way, optimal performance can be achieved in various conditions such as maximum bollard pull,
higher speed transfer duties, slow-speed duties for ice management or stand-by duties.”
The designs are available, as standard, in three different lengths at 50m, 65m and 80m, and have a bollard
pull ranging from 45 up to 70t.
Herm Jan de Vries says: “Due to the limited length and cargo capacities, the smaller design is best suited for
towing and pushing, ice management and anchor handling duties. The middle design brings the best of both
worlds, while the larger design is typically aimed at the supply function, having a large deck area and ample
tank space below deck. However, it can also perform light construction and safety standby duties.”
NEWBUILDS & DELIVERIES
CHINA’S FIRST CRUISESHIP LAUNCHED
The first of two polar expedition cruiseships for China Merchants Industry Group (CMIG) has been launched at
Haimen Shipbuilding’s base in Jiangsu.
The launch of the polar expedition cruise ship is the first ship of the China Merchants Industry Polar
Expedition Cruises series project and is also China’s first home-grown cruiseship. The launch marks the
beginning of a substantive first step in the domestic construction of China’s cruise liners.
During the launching ceremony earlier this month, Hu Xianyi, General Manager CMIG, pointed out that the
realisation of local autonomous production of cruiseships is a clear requirement of “Made in China 2025” and an
urgent need to support the rapid development of the domestic cruise industry.
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