Siemens awarded Drive system contract for U.S. Navy’s Sea Base Project

Siemens awarded Drive system contract for U.S. Navy’s Sea Base Project

Siemens today announced that it was awarded a contract from Oceaneering Advanced Technologies, a division of Oceaneering International, Inc. (OII), to provide an electric winch motor control system and an energy storage system for a crane designed to move large containers on U.S. Navy ships while at sea. Currently underway, the project is scheduled to be completed in spring of 2007. The contract amount has not been disclosed.

OII was chosen by the Office of Naval Research to conduct technology research in support of the Navy’s HiCASS Concept, a key component in the Navy’s offshore floating port Sea Base Project. Sea Base ships would eliminate the need for the Navy to secure foreign ports for supply lines. Oceaneering Advanced Technologies will use the Siemens equipment to test theories for moving large containers between ships while they are at sea.

The scope of the contract includes the delivery of a drive system, programmable logic controller, and an energy storage system all as one integrated solution in a 30-ft. container. Siemens will also provide the motors, brakes and gearboxes and be responsible for the mechanical integration of the system with the customer’s winch drum.

“Siemens ability to simulate the complete system operation provided OII with the confidence that each component was sized to meet the needs of the application,” said Ed May, Program Manager. “The energy storage capabilities of the new system will provide the large amounts of power required to move large containers at sea, while reducing the draw from the ships grid.”

“Through Siemens ability to deliver solutions that fit our customers’ needs and prompt turn times, Siemens has developed a strong working relationship with OII.” said Luis Illan, manager of Siemens Marine Solutions in the U.S.

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