First X-Stern Fitted
The world’s first X-Stern to be fitted to a vessel is currently being mounted on the first of two offshore wind service vessels.
The X-Stern is a sloping and higher stern, allowing for a sharp stern shape in which the transom plate is replaced by a pointed aft. With the X-Stern, the vessel can stay positioned with the stern towards the weather, even in harsh conditions.
The X-Stern has several of the same characteristics as the X-Bow. It leads to reduced pitch and wave drift forces, as well as eliminating slamming. Positive effects are reduced power and fuel consumption while on DP, and there will be no green sea on deck due to the stern shape and enclosed nature of the aft deck.
The new vessels, Yno 309 and 310, are scheduled for delivery from Ulstein Verft in 2016 and 2017. The vessel will be shipped to Ulstein Verft, Norway, in end December.
Ulstein Verft signed the shipbuilding contract in the first quarter of 2015 with the Germany-based Bernhard Schulte. The final detailed arrangements and equipment for the vessels have been developed and specified in cooperation with WINDEA Offshore GmbH & Co. KG, which is the Bernhard Schulte’s affiliate for offshore wind projects.
Earlier this year, Ulstein Group presents the X-Stern Extender concept, a feature which turns a relatively small vessel into a flexible subsea vessel with an extendable moon pool in the aft. This feature increases safety in subsea operations, and the vessel’s smaller size reduces total operational costs and its environmental footprint, says the company.
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The X-Stern Extender is an add-on; it is not part of the ship’s structure and not counted in the ship’s length. The deadweight, fuel consumption and operational costs for a fully functional subsea vessel will be reduced, says Ulstein.