In 2010 Amarcon’s OCTOPUS-DP Capability forecast for efficient offshore DP operations was brought to the market. The OCTOPUS-DP functionality gives offshore vessels the possibility to make optimum use of a safe time window for their weather-sensitive operations.

The first installation of the OCTOPUS-DP Capability forecast software was performed on the LNG Carriers Suez Neptune and Suez Cape Ann, in order to facilitate a safe time window so that the vessels LNG can safely be discharged. The OCTOPUS-DP functionality can not be compared with already existing Dynamic Positioning Systems. Where traditional DP systems try to keep the vessels position during an offshore operation, OCTOPUS-DP takes it one step further. A forecast is given if the vessel is capable of maintaining her position and heading in changing environmental and weather conditions, hours and days ahead. This forecast is presented in a clear time window, so that the crew can easily see if the offshore operation can be executed, and under which heading this can be done. The OCTOPUS-DP Capability forecast software can be installed as an add-on on any vessel which already is equipped with a DP-system. Typical installation time is only one day, for new builds and ships in operation.

The applicability of the product should be seen in a broad context. In 2011 various Heavy Lift shipping companies and offshore contractors have shown interest in the state of the art DP Forecast functionality, thus leading to several orders for the product. “This means a great deal to us,” says Amarcon’s managing director Leon Adegeest. “It is good to see that very diverse companies within the shipping industry acknowledge the relevance of the product for their day-to-day business.” Earlier this year, Fred Olsen Windcarrier purchased the DP Capability forecast function for offshore windmill installations. Second in line was the order from Harren & Partner, just a few months ago. The OCTOPUS-DP Capability forecast shall be installed on three of their multipurpose heavy lift vessels. Last in line is Sal Heavy Lift Shipping, which also ordered the functionality for one her multipurpose heavy lift vessels, this way the above mentioned companies will be able to plan offshore operations very accurately, using the valuable time windows as efficient as possible.

Leon Adegeest is optimistic about the viability of the OCTOPUS-DP Capability forecast software: “Our business is to help our clients to perform their every day operations in a safe and cost effective way. Without getting lost in technical terms, that is exactly what our OCTOPUS-DP functionality does.”

In the last months Amarcon noticed an increasing interest from the German market for her decision support solutions. A few days after the order from Harren & Partner, SAL Heavy lift signed an order for a tailor made Crane Motion Monitoring solution for her Multipurpose Heavy Lift vessel SAL Type 183/MV Lone. This installation will be expanded with an OCTOPUS-Onboard system for motion monitoring and advice during weather sensitive operations.
The history of the full service Heavy Lift provider Sal Heavy Lift Shipping goes way back in time. In 1865 the delivery of the first vessel was celebrated. Currently SAL operates a fleet of 16 heavy lift vessels that provide sea transportation of broad variety of project cargoes. SAL is well-known for the high crane capacity and unequalled speed of her vessels, both guaranteeing flawless execution of complex and time-sensitive heavy cargo transports.
The recent order for the MV Lone can be seen as very complete and customized installation. The installed system shall be compliant with the requirements of Germanischer Lloyd for use of cranes offshore. The Crane Monitoring System shall be placed in order to monitor the forces and accelerations in the two cranes of the vessels. One of the motion sensors is suitable for underwater measurements in the crane hook. As a result of measured critical conditions, warnings will be displayed on the bridge and warnings will be generated in the form of a warning light and –horn. The OCTOPUS-Onboard expansion provides the MV Lone with an advice on safe speed and heading, heading optimization, and planning of operational windows. In 2010 the OCTOPUS-DP capability forecast for efficient offshore DP operations was brought to the market. This functionality is also included in the order from SAL. The demand for the OCTOPUS-DP forecast is rapidly expanding. In the last months several Heavy Lift companies and offshore contractors purchased the DP capability forecast functionality as a part of the offered OCTOPUS-Onboard functionality.

Amarcon’s Managing director Leon Adegeest shows his appreciation with the appointed order from the German Heavy Lift shipping company: “SAL has been using our hydrodynamic analysis software, OCTOPUS-Office, for quite a few years now. This recent order for an onboard customized installation of OCTOPUS-Onboard is confirmation for us that SAL has faith in our ongoing relation and believes in the added value that our systems have to offer in their day to day operations. Furthermore, this order clears the path to more opportunities in the German Heavy lift shipping industry, something we can only be thankful for.”

For more information about specified decision support and motion monitoring solutions for Heavy Lift Shipping, please visit: http://www.amarcon.com.