Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Builds World's First Smart Wind Turbine Installation Vessel... Aiming for 'Super-Gap' Lead

Independent Smart Ship Solution Installed on Wind Turbine Installation Vessel

Aerial perspective design of the large offshore wind turbine installation vessel 'NG-16000X' being constructed by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. Photo by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) is constructing the world's first eco-friendly wind turbine installation vessel equipped with a smart ship function that optimizes navigation.

DSME announced on the 21st that it has signed a supply contract to offer shipowners solutions necessary for vessel operation by adding its independently developed smart ship system to the wind turbine installation vessel currently under construction at the Okpo shipyard.

Last year, DSME secured orders for two vessels capable of installing large 14~15 MW-class offshore wind turbines from Monaco-based 'Eneti' and is currently building them at the Okpo shipyard. These vessels have attracted industry attention by applying the 'NG-16000X' design, which incorporates the latest technology from Dutch engineering firm 'GustoMSC,' known as a world leader in this field.

Moreover, DSME is gaining further attention by equipping these vessels with its in-house developed smart ship system (DS4) and providing various solutions to assist optimal navigation. This is regarded as the first case of integrating cutting-edge eco-friendly and smart ship technologies?currently a key topic in the global shipbuilding and shipping sectors?into the offshore plant field, suggesting a direction for the industry to follow.

With global environmental regulations tightening to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, interest and investment in renewable energy are increasing. Among these, the offshore wind market is recognized as a rapidly growing representative sector. Alongside this, market demands and expectations for technological advancements driven by the digital transformation trend toward unmanned autonomous vessels are also rapidly rising.

DSME’s dedicated smart ship solution for wind turbine installation vessels is expected to enhance both the safety and efficiency of vessel operations, bringing tangible benefits to shipowners. The DS4 autonomous navigation system perceives the surrounding environment and the vessel itself to support economical and safe navigation simultaneously. Additionally, it collects and monitors big data from the operation of key onboard equipment in real time onshore, providing rational operational strategies.

Choi Dong-gyu, Executive Vice President and Head of DSME’s Central Research Institute, stated, "This supply contract will be a successful case of integrating the company’s digital technology capabilities into the world’s best eco-friendly vessels for green energy production." He added, "Building on this success, the company will strengthen its position as a global leader driving digitalization and decarbonization in the industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.