REM Offshore contracts first of new Wärtsilä Arctic PSV designs

The contract is the first purchase for the new series of Wärtsilä Arctic PSVs, a winterised version of its existing 485 series.

“This significant order takes us a step further towards our goal of becoming a leading player in the market for ice class vessels," says Magnus Miemois, solutions vice president at Wärtsilä Ship Power.

Slated for delivery in the first half of 2015, the vessel design will incorporate Wärtsilä’s Low Loss Concept (LLC), the same system previously installed aboard the famed fuel-cell-powered OSV Viking Lady, which consists of a transformer-free electrical layout enabling the vessel’s diesel-electric propulsion system to operate continuously even in the event of multiple system failures.. The system is designed to ensure safe operation even during long periods at sea in remote Arctic regions.

The vessel’s hull and propulsion system will be strengthened to DNV ice class ICE 1B level, and its building materials selected in order to comply with DNV Winterised Basic guidelines.

"There is increasing oil company exploration being carried out in northern Russia, Greenland, the Barents Sea, and other Arctic waters. This requires vessels specifically designed for these conditions, and Wärtsilä has shown that it can efficiently meet such needs," says Åge Remøy, ceo of REM Offshore.