The Sofia VG, a new 105-meter Ecotrader vessel for Finnish shipping company Meriaura, is delivered with a full automation package from Marble Automation. The ship was built at Royal Bodewes shipyard in Groningen, the Netherlands, and carries a 1A ice classification for trading in northern waters. After an intensive project period, all systems are commissioned and the vessel is ready to go.
The delivery covers the complete automation backbone of the vessel, from power management and propulsion control to monitoring, alarming and safety. All systems work together on one platform, so the crew has a clear and direct overview during all stages of operation.
DC Power management system
The power management on the Sofia VG runs on Marble’s modular DC PMS. The system takes care of power generation and distribution over the whole vessel, and is built up from modules that can be added or adjusted without changing the complete system. For the engineers on board this means one central point for everything around power, without having to switch between different systems for different tasks.
Within the DC PMS, two modules are placed: the UGrid module and the PTO/PTI module. UGrid takes care of DC power distribution and gives the engineers at any moment a direct view of the power situation. The PTO/PTI module handles Power Take-Off and Power Take-In, so the vessel can use shaft power for both propulsion and power generation on board. Especially on longer passages, this is a good way to reduce the load on the generators and keep fuel consumption under control.
Manoeuvring control
For manoeuvring, Marble installed the MS1100 bow thruster control system on the Sofia VG. From the bridge the officers have at all times direct and precise control over the bow thruster, which is important for safe handling in harbour and in narrow waters. The system reacts well and is easy to work with, also in more difficult docking situations.
Also two wing stations are fitted as part of the delivery. From these positions on the sides of the bridge, the officer in charge has full control over the vessel with much better view than from the centre console. When coming alongside a quay or manoeuvring in a tight berth, this makes a real practical difference for the people on the bridge.
Monitoring, alarming and safety
The AMCS (Alarm Monitoring and Control System) is the central point for all alarms and system statuses on board. Every sensor and alarm point comes together in one clear screen, so the crew can see the technical condition of the ship in one look and act fast when something asks for attention. The layout is kept logical and clear, so the right information is always quick to find.
Connected to the AMCS is a full alarming system that covers all vital functions on board. Alarms show clearly where they come from and what the status is, and can be acknowledged from the main stations. A tank measuring system runs along with it, showing fuel oil, ballast, fresh water and other tanks in real time. This gives the crew what they need for daily planning and safe operation.
UMS functionality is included as well, so the engine room can run without crew present during night hours, as required by the classification rules. This takes workload away from the engineering team without losing oversight. As last safety layer, an emergency telegraph gives the bridge and engine room a direct backup connection for propulsion commands when the main systems are not available.
The cooperation with Royal Bodewes shipyard, Piet Brouwer Electrotechnology and the Meriaura team was good, and the end result is something to be satisfied about. The Sofia VG leaves the yard with a solid automation package that the crew can work with from day one.
Safe sailing, Sofia VG!
