Heerema Marine Contractors’ (www.hmc.heerema.com) semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) Sleipnir has recently successfully completed its first project: the installation of the topsides of the Leviathan development in the Mediterranean (a world-record lift), with GE’s power and electric propulsion system onboard.

At 220m long and 102m wide, Sleipnir is the world’s largest crane vessel, with two 10,000-tonne revolving cranes. To ensure the smooth operation of such a ‘sea giant’, GE was chosen to provide the electrical part of the power and propulsion system; this included 12 sets of 8MW generators, eight 5.5MW propulsion motors, medium-voltage switchboards, transformers, MV7000 drives and the Visor remote monitoring and diagnostics system.

Sleipnir is the world’s first crane vessel with dual-fuel engines running on either marine gas
oil or liquified natural gas.

Coupled with GE’s electric propulsion system, the vessel achieves low emission levels when operating; GE’s power package also generates and distributes electricity to power all the vessel’s onboard systems.

Furthermore, GE’s solution has advanced sensors built in to help operators monitor the health of each piece of equipment in real time and signal possible malfunctions, helping to minimise down-time and increase availability.

Andy Cooper, managing director of GE’s Power Conversion business in the UK (www.ge.com), said: “In addition to the long-term electrical expertise we have in the offshore industry, one of our key strengths lies in our capabilities relating to system integration, which allow us to create more-efficient systems, deliver additional value to our customers and help them maintain fleets with long-term technological advantage and competitiveness.”