MARCH 19, 2013 — Siemens Industry, Inc. has been awarded the contract to supply its Blue Drive diesel electric solution for the two platform supply vessels that Leevac Shipyards Jennings LLC, Jennings, LA, is building for Aries Marine, Inc. of Lafayette, LA (see earlier story).

"The demands placed on the onboard systems and technologies of today's PSVs are high as these vessels are specialized and tailored based upon particular machine layouts, power requirements, automation processes, climatic conditions and more," says David Grucza, marine business manager, Siemens Industry, Inc. "Siemens is proud to partner with Aries Corporation, and we look forward to development and commissioning of another successful marine project."

The two 270 ft PSVs will be outfitted with Siemens Blue multi-drive, low-voltage system. Siemens will improve reliability due to fail-safe features that help the vessel owner lower maintenance costs as well as increase efficiency and operational ease for the vessel and crew. The ship's advanced design will also decrease fuel consumption, resulting in reduced emissions of greenhouse gases.

Siemens will provide the main generators, main propulsion and thruster motors, switchboards, power management system and its IAS400 automation system for alarm, monitoring and control functions, in addition to a unique, fully integrated Siemens electrical FiFi 1 system.

As part of a Sole Source Vendor solution, Siemens is responsible for designing, engineering, project managing and commissioning the diesel electric and automation system.

Designed by Leevac Design Services for Aries and certified by the American Bureau of Shipping, each PSV will be 270 ft long and 56 ft wide. Both ships will be capable of speeds of more than 14 knots and are designed to carry a variety of cargo in below-deck tanks, including large quantities of fuel, water, drilling fluids, cement or mud as well as casing, drill pipes and tubing in open-decks.

The vessels are slated for delivery in September and December 2014 respectively.

Aries Marine Corporation, a privately held Louisiana Corporation, was formed in early 1981 by Dwight S. Ramsay to own and operate self-elevating workboats and supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.