Paramarine software has been selected by Mojo Maritime Ltd. to support the design of a new dynamic positioning (DP) offshore construction vessel, the HiFlo-4 (HF4,) which will have applications for the tidal energy industry.
The purpose of the HF4 is to reduce the installed cost of marine renewable energy devices to initiate industrialisation. The vessel is designed to operate using dynamic positioning in currents up to 10 knots, allowing a high degree of accessibility and improved productivity during the construction phases of tidal energy farms. It is capable of installing foundations, cables, subsea connectors and turbines in a wide range of conditions. The development of the vessel is being assisted by the Technology Strategy Board and the Mojo lead consortium involving Voith, DNV, Bauer and the University of Exeter. Construction is planned to begin in 2014.
“We selected Paramarine because of its extensive functionality and track record in the offshore renewables industry. The parametric nature of Paramarine and its ability to handle novel shaped offshore structures means it is very useful for concept design. In addition the probabilistic damage stability analysis is necessary for the design of special purpose ships as employed in offshore construction where technical construction teams are working on vessels,” said Simon Hindley, Naval Architect, Mojo Maritime Ltd.
Mojo Maritime Ltd will be using the probabilistic damage analysis module, one of a number of new capabilities in the latest version of QinetiQ GRC’s Paramarine software – V8, which takes into account not only the vessel’s stability when certain subdivisions of the ship are damaged, but assigns probabilities to various extents of damage and survivability when damaged. This is required as part of the design for all passenger and cargo vessels.
“We are very excited about the selection of Paramarine software by Mojo Maritime and their use of our software to support the design of such an innovative vessel. The dynamic marine renewable energy sector represents one of our fastest growing markets today,” commented Vittorio Vagliani, Managing Director, QinetiQ GRC .
Press release, November 5, 2013; Image: Mojo Maritime