Name of the Project
Orion offshore construction vessel project.

Location
The vessel is being built at the Cosco shipyard in China.

Client
Dredging International (DEME).

Project Description
The project entails the construction of an offshore construction vessel, which will undertake operations involving the installation of offshore wind farms in locations worldwide.

This will be the first vessel of its kind to be fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

This 216.5-m-long vessel, the ‘Orion’, will be powered by four 9-cylinder dual-fuel electric propulsion engines and two 6-cylinder dual-fuel engines.

With a total installed capacity of 44 180 kW, ‘Orion’ will be equipped with a high-tech crane, with a lifting capacity of 3 000 t at more than 50 m.

The loads can be lifted to an unrivalled height of more than 170 m. Deck space has been increased to provide exceptionally high transport and load capacity. 

The vessel will be able to transport the heaviest monopiles, jackets, wind turbine components and structures in a single shipment.

The vessel will be able to accommodate a crew of up to 131 people.

Jobs to Be Created
Not stated.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
The vessel is expected to be delivered to DEME in 2018.

Latest Developments
Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract to supply the engines and other propulsion machinery for the new offshore construction vessel.

Wärtsilä will also supply two custom-made retractable thrusters, four underwater demountable thrusters and the Wärtsilä LNGPac storage and supply system, as well as commissioning, site supervision and extended project management services.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Wärtsilä (engines and other propulsion machinery).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
DEME communications, Vicky Cosemans, tel +32 3 250 59 22 or email cosemans.vicky@deme-group.com.