Brunvoll has been chosen as the supplier of a complete propulsion and manoeuvring system for what is described as the next generation of cable-laying vessels, currently being built for Van Oord at Vard Brattvåg.

The 130m long, Vard 9 02 design vessel is scheduled to begin operating in the growing offshore wind power market in 2023. It can be powered by biofuels and has a large battery pack and high energy efficiency meaning CO2, NOx and SOx emissions are reduced.

"We are proud that Vard and Van Oord has chosen Brunvoll as their trusted supplier,” commented Brunvoll Group chief executive, Kåre Øyvind Vassdal. “This project is yet more proof that the Norwegian maritime cluster can deliver premium system solutions. We praise Van Oord for building at Vard Brattvåg, which strengthens our maritime cluster in tough times,” he added.

The system delivery comprises two 2,100kW tunnel thrusters, a combined retractable azimuth/tunnel thruster of 1,500kW and two azimuth propulsion thrusters with propeller in nozzle each with a power of 2,500kW.

The tunnel thrusters and combined azimuth/tunnel thruster will be installed in the foreship. All units are of controllable pitch type and run at variable speeds. By using simultaneous control of speed and propeller pitch (‘combinator control’) several benefits are achieved, including lower noise and vibration levels and lower energy consumption.

Brunvoll has recently delivered similar thruster systems to a cable-laying vessel for Nexans Subsea Operations built at Ulstein Verft.