VesselsULSTEIN PX121 for Otto Of shore(Photo courtesy of General Dynamics Electric Boat)Ulstein Design & Solutions entered dates 30 people. They carry the X-BOW into a contract with Wuchang Shipbuild- hull line design, which is designed to be Submarine ing Industry Co., Ltd, China, for the de- ef? cient on all drafts, a factor critical for livery of ship design & equipment to four PSVs, as they frequently operate with North Dakota PX121 type platform supply vessels. The varying drafts. The X-BOW has unique ship owner is the Singapore based Otto and documented qualities in head seas, The U.S.’s newest and most Offshore Ltd., which is scheduled to re- in which the bow shape eliminates slam-advanced nuclear-powered at-ceive all vessels in 2016. The contract ming and reduces bow impact, noise tack submarine, North Dakota also includes an option for four vessels. and vibration. This leads to better per-(SSN-784), returned to the These PX121 vessels are capable of formance and increased operability, in-General Dynamics Electric Boat supporting offshore activities which are creased crew comfort and safety and re-shipyard following the success-being carried out further from shore and duced fuel consumption. Each ship will ful completion of its ? rst voyage in deeper waters. The vessels can carry be equipped with dynamic positioning in open seas, called alpha sea ? exible loads. In addition to tanks for system Class II and meets the require-trials. North Dakota is the 11th various contents such as oil, water, and ments of Comfort Class.ship of the Virginia Class. drilling ? uids, they have four stainless Otto Offshore is a company in Otto North Dakota’s alpha sea trials steel tanks for ? ammable liquids or cor- Marine Ltd. The contract with Ulstein included a range of submarine rosive chemicals (LFL tanks). The ves- includes the deliveries of design, engi-and propulsion-plant opera-sels are certi? ed by DNV and carry the neering and main equipment. An exten-tions, submerging for the ? rst ‘Clean Design’ notation. sive delivery from Ulstein Power & Con-time, and high-speed runs on Measuring 83.4 m long with a beam trol includes integrated control systems, and below the surface to dem-of 18 m, they have a cargo deck of 840 bridge (radio, navigation), switchboard, onstrate that the ship’s propul-sq. m. and a load capacity of 4,000 tons diesel electric propulsion and frequency sion plant is fully mission-(dwt). converters, and communication systems. capable. In May, the U.S. Navy Each ship has a maximum speed of ap- The vessels will be prepared for offshore underscored its commitment proximately 14.5 knots and accommo- crane and mezzanine deck for ROVs.to an advanced and adaptable submarine force by award-ing Electric Boat a contract valued at $17.6 billion for the construction of 10 additional Virginia-class submarines.Virginia-class submarines displace 7,800 tons, with a hull length of 377 feet and a diame-ter of 34 feet. They are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots and can dive to a depth greater than 800 feet, while carrying Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes and Tomahawk land-attack missiles.September 201410 MTRMTR #7 (1-17).indd 10 MTR #7 (1-17).indd 10 8/27/2014 11:09:13 AM8/27/2014 11:09:13 AM