Owned and operated by the Netherlands-based international maritime logistics conglomerate Royal Wagenborg, Oranjeborg is a roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel whose box-shape, large hold capacity and ice-strengthened hull is familiar to watchers of the company’s distinctive fleet of ships. The installation of ABB Ability™ 800xA® Integrated Automation System ensures that the Oranjeborg, which has proven an enduring servant for Royal Wagenborg, will benefit from the maintenance and other key support to perform for the next years.
Built in 2004, the ice class 1A super vessel has since been served well by its ABB-engineered distributed control system (DCS) through a lifetime working in harsh environments. However, by the end of 2023, the DCS on board was reaching its end-of-life phase. To ensure that the ship’s systems could continue in the ‘active lifecycle’ phase for the next two decades and beyond, ABB replaced the existing operator layer, including human-machine interface, by the latest version of ABB Ability™ System 800xA® on a retrofit basis.
A smooth and flexible process
More than a conventional DCS, the ABB Ability™ 800xA® Integrated Automation System is also an electrical control system, a safety system and a collaboration enabler with the capacity to improve engineering efficiency, operator performance and asset utilization. As it enables also multi-system integration, ABB was able to upgrade the operator layer of the existing system rather than replace it entirely. This ensured a smooth installation process: the entire project, including commissioning, took just five days to complete, keeping downtime and associated costs to a minimum.
Following the upgrade, Oranjeborg is now future-ready, with its systems' support also covered for the next 25 years through an ABB MarineCare service agreement. In addition to spare parts, maintenance, a range of lifecycle services, and product design enhancements, the vessel will have access to cyber-security updates to keep its systems safe and secure.
“We are very pleased with the execution of this project, during which ABB demonstrated great flexibility and expertise,” said Onno Steenweg, Superintendent, Wagenborg Shipping. “Since ABB was involved in engineering Oranjeborg 20 years ago, the vessel was already equipped with their systems, which resulted in a smooth upgrade process. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ABB – a trusted and reliable automation partner.”
“This project provides a clear example of our ability to upgrade, install, and commission critical vessel systems in a smooth and flexible manner, to help optimize and extend the lifecycle of equipment and the ship itself,” said Erik Gelten, Project Manager, ABB Marine & Ports.
The ABB Ability™ 800xA® Integrated Automation System enables all systems and equipment of vessels to work seamlessly together. Offering the flexibility to carry out updates at a time and place that is most suitable for vessel operations, costs are significantly reduced. Additional benefits include shorter lead times, more accurate troubleshooting, and maximized uptime and redundancy.
