The Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors have awarded Siemens Energy a contract to equip its Oceanographer and Discoverer ships with SiSHIP Blue Drive PlusC advanced diesel-electric propulsion systems and BlueVault Battery Storage Solutions.
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration will acquire the two ships and use it for missions, including general oceanographic research and exploration, climate and ocean ecosystem studies, and worldwide ocean survey and data collection.
The combination of the diesel-electric propulsion systems and the battery storage solution will help save 15,000 gallons of fuel per year for each vessel and reduce approximately 5,700 tons of CO2 emissions. It will also reduce the maintenance associated with the engines.
TAI Engineers has worked with Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors and Siemens Energy to develop an optimal vessel design.
Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors Managing Director Walter Thomassie said, “The NOAA NAV Variant is truly the result of an intense, collaborative effort by the Thoma-Sea Marine team ,analyzing and implementing the best solutions brought by the shipyard, our design agent (TAI), Siemens Energy, and others. As the first shipyard to install and commission the Siemens Energy Blue Drive PlusC™ advanced diesel-electric propulsion systems in the United States, Thoma-Sea immediately recognized Siemens Energy was able to optimize the system according to our specifications to further enhance the vessel’s capabilities and efficiencies.”
The two vessels are scheduled to begin operating in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Each vessel can carry a crew of 20 and accommodate up to 28 scientists.
