ABB has completed sea trials of its new Dynamic Positioning Class 2 (DP2) technology onboard Belgium group DEME’s new wind turbine installation vessel Norse Wind.
A DP system help keep a vessel steady by counteracting movement caused by waves, wind, and other environmental factors. The system enables the vessel to remain at a specific location for extended periods.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The DP2 solution integrates ABB’s Ability Marine Pilot Control with Azipod propulsion. This integration brings vessel control, manoeuvring, and transit functions together under a single system.
During sea trials on Norse Wind, the system demonstrated continuous control when integrated with ABB’s power and energy management system (PEMS), which allows for closed bus-tie operations.
ABB also supplied AX Bridge levers and a user interface designed to give operators an overview of vessel status and DP activity.
The solution uses dynamic models of the vessel and thrusters that update in real time to reflect hydrodynamic changes related to speed.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataAccording to ABB, these systems worked together as expected during testing.
ABB Marine & Ports division president Rune Braastad said: “In developing the DP2 functionality for ABB Ability Marine Pilot Control, combining it with Azipod propulsion, and subsequently verifying its performance at sea, our team has shown great vision, craft and dedication.”
The DP2 control system is designed based on input from DP operators, analysis of incident records, and model-based control algorithms.
The updated solution aims to provide full operational control at all stages of vessel operation. According to ABB, it contributes to safety and helps with decision making while removing the need for standby mode.
DEME fleet head Jeroen Vanden Branden said: “As an industry leader in innovation and advanced technologies, we sought a dynamic positioning solution that would raise the benchmark beyond the long-standing standard.
“ABB’s new DP2 control system delivers an advanced, intuitive, and user-friendly experience, providing operators with all essential information in a clean, modern interface. This system empowers our crews with precision, reliability, and real-time insights – delivering the performance and safety standards that modern DP operations demand.”
A second DEME vessel, Norse Energi, will be equipped with this DP2 technology when it begins operations in 2026, said ABB.
