NEWS
FIVE MINUTES WITH ARNE BIRKELAND, VICE PRESIDENT, SHIP DESIGN, W�RTSIL� SHIP POWER
Arne Birkeland, W�rtsil� Ship Power
New ship design unit formed; New compact escort tug design unveiled
Earlier this summer in Oslo at Norshipping, W�rtsil� announced that its various ship design units would be housed under a single entity dubbed W�rtsil� Ship Design. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News had the opportunity to chat with Arne Birkeland, Vice President, Ship Design, W�rtsil� Ship Power, to discuss the new venture's merits and future prospects. � by Greg Trauthwein, Editor What was the impetus for this latest announcement, the consolidation of W�rtsil�'s Ship Design business under one theoretical roof? Arne Birkeland For a long time, we have said that we (W�rtsil�) want to develop into a systems integrator, to be the most preferred business partner of our customers. If you step back and look at our powerplant business, we supply everything. In Ship Power we have a good opportunity that has not been fully utilized, as ship design is obviously a critical step in the overall process. Overall, we want to be a real design house that adds value for our customers. How does this forward the notion of W�rtsil� as a complete systems integrator? If you are into ship design, you better understand well the entire product line, so that you can integrate this knowledge into predefined solutions and operational services with performance guarantees and fixed prices. It may also include extended services like yard selection and supervision support in the construction phase. What are some of the unique challenges in your end of the business? Ship design is much more driven by people. Today, what do you count as the top design challenges/drivers? Gas! Can you elaborate? Gas, as far as a fuel for vessels and as an overall development, with a large number of LNG terminal and vessel contracts in the works. The environment is also a consistent challenge. We can develop (new designs that are more fuel efficient, for example) but it really takes new regulations and legislation to drive it home. How has the current global economic downturn affected your plans? When we bought the ship design activity, we had a business plan that projected a sharp downturn. We did not expect it to be so quick or so deep, but it really was not a shock.
the design to the benefit of customers. There are many synergies in this regard. What then, would you identify as the focus of W�rtsil� Ship Design? We are focused on specialty vessels: tug design, specialized tonnage such as OSVs, AHTS' and chemical tankers. W�rtsil� as a whole is better situated (in today's tough economic environment) focused on specialized shipping rather than mainstream, as order cancellations are
kept to a minimum. What is the goal of merging the Ship Design function? It is our goal to establish W�rtsil� as an independent ship design brand, which will be the customer's first choice. There will be a close collaboration between our Ship Design unit, other parts of the Ship Power organization and other W�rtsil� divisions. Our long term ambition is to create standard, proven designs with
New W�rtsil� Tug Design
One of the first designs to be fully accredited as a W�rtsil� Ship Design is the W Tug 80. This is a compact, high performance escort tug is capable of carrying out ship assist duties at offshore terminals, as well as high-speed escorting, push-pull operations, and coastal towing. The W Tug 80 designed for 80 ton bollard pull can attain a speed of 14.5 knots. Due to its compact size and two W�rtsil� steerable thrusters, the tug is designed to be very maneuverable. The rounded bow profile with moderate flare is optimized for pushing and reduces the risk of slamming. A large skeg combined with the forward hull shape results in a steering force of 250 ton during escorting. It is powered by two eight-cylinder in-line W�rtsil� 26 engines, each rated at 2600 kW at 1000 rpm. A modular propulsion concept with various engine arrangements can be configured within the same basic design.The towage and escorting duties are served well with a forward 112t towing/anchor winch. A 91t towing winch is sited aft of the superstructure. The tug can be equipped for fire-fighting duties and can operate 200 nautical miles from the coastline.
W�rtsil� Ship Design
The new W Tug 80
W�rtsil� Ship Design includes the recently acquired naval architect companies Vik-Sandvik of Norway, Conan Wu & Associates (CWA) of Singapore and SCHIFFKO of Germany as well as the conceptual ship design unit in Finland.
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Maritime Reporter & Engineering News