Abstract: A steering mechanism for a container carrier ship hull including a bow, a stern, and a container bay therebetween. The bow is provided with a set of depending lateral thruster pods, the set including a first pod disposed along a longitudinal centerline of the hull, a second pod disposed rearward of the first pod and outward from the centerline, and a third pod disposed rearward of the first pod and outward from the centerline opposite from the second pod. The first and second pods define a first longitudinal flow channel to one side of the centerline and the first and third thruster pods define a second longitudinal flow channel to the opposite side of the centerline. A fourth pod, which may omit thruster mechanisms, may be disposed along the centerline reward of the first, second, and third pods, to define with them first and second cross-centerline flow channels.

Abstract: A marine vessel and method for carbon capture and sequestration are described. The marine vessel includes a buoyant hull, a cryogenic storage tank within the hull, and a gaseous carbon dioxide loading manifold. The marine vessel also includes a carbon dioxide liquefaction system in fluid communication with the cryogenic storage tank downstream of the carbon dioxide liquefaction system and with the gaseous carbon dioxide loading manifold upstream of the carbon dioxide liquefaction system. Finally, the marine vessel includes a carbon dioxide supercritical system in fluid communication with the cryogenic storage tank. In operation, the marine vessel moves between multiple locations, where gaseous carbon dioxide is onboarded, liquified and stored. Thereafter, the marine vessel transports the liquified carbon dioxide to a location adjacent an offshore geological reservoir.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle including a vehicle body, a propulsion system, a maneuvering system, a vehicle control system, a buoyancy control system, a sensor system, and at least one power supply is disclosed. The propulsion system, maneuvering system, vehicle control system, buoyancy control system, sensor system, and power supply are carried by the vehicle body. The sensor system includes a sensor adapted to detect an item of interest and provide an item of interest signal to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system is adapted to receive the item of interest signal, identify an item of interest classification and provide a classification signal. The classification signal is determined by the item of interest classification and is utilized by the propulsion system, maneuvering system, vehicle control system, or buoyancy control system to avoid physical, electrical, acoustic, or thermal detection of the unmanned vehicle by the item of interest.

Abstract: A gangway includes a distal end on which an end effector unit is attached. The end effector unit has an outer surface at least a certain portion of which is adapted to be in contact with an installation, wherein a movement of a rotatable element in the end effector unit corresponds to a movement of the distal end with respect to a reference point on the installation when the end effector unit is in contact with the installation, the movement of the distal end being at least along one of the axes related to the installation. A method for repositioning a gangway to a desired position on an installation or a target structure. A vessel or a watercraft includes the gangway and an installation includes the gangway. A computer software product implements method steps herein disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to transportable and compact power supply unit for supplying a water vehicle, in particular an electrical power supply system of the water vehicle, with electrical energy and in particular for arrangement on the water vehicle, containing in a transport container or a plurality of transport containers that can be connected together, wherein the transport container or the plurality of transport containers can be transported as a single, coherent unit: at least one internal combustion engine that can be operated on gas, in particular a natural gas, at least one generator for generating power, which can be driven by the at least one internal combustion engine, at least one control device for the at least one internal combustion engine and/or at least one control device for the at least one generator, at least one fuel treatment device for the at least one internal combustion engine and/or at least one exhaust gas cleaning device for the at least one internal combustion engine, and at least o

Abstract: An apparatus, method, computer program product, and computer system for monitoring at least one of an environment of at least one freezer unit of one or more freezer units inside a mobile container and a macro environment of the mobile container maintained by a refrigeration unit. Data of at least one of the macro environment of the mobile container and the environment of the at least one freezer unit may be logged. The data may be provided to an external display. An alert may be provided in real-time to the external display based upon, at least in part, at least one of the macro environment of the mobile container and the environment of the at least one freezer unit. A first power supply providing power to the at least one freezer unit may be switched to a second power supply providing power to the at least one freezer unit based upon, at least in part, at least one of the macro environment of the mobile container and the environment of the at least one freezer unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rescue device for a container (7) having container corners (9) loaded onto a damaged ship (110), comprising a crane (50) arranged on a carrier (20, 21, 22), wherein the crane (50) has a front support arm (51), over which a load cable is guided, whose section leading away from the support arm (51) is connected to a container (7) to be unloaded, and the length of which can be changed. The invention is characterized in that the carrier (20, 21, 22) has at least one locking mechanism (204, 205) located opposite the crane (50), by means of which the carrier (20, 21, 22) is temporarily fastened in a releasable manner at the container corners (9) of at least one of the containers (7) fastened on the deck (1) of the damaged ship (110).

Abstract: A frame structure for a multi-level container handling and storage facility 11, which is constructed by an array of basic structures comprising of two rows, R1 and R2, of spaced support columns 21 which are weight bearing. The columns in row R1 are joined respectively by one horizontal beam 25 and similarly the columns in row R2 are joined respectively by a separate horizontal beam 25 to form spaced adjacent beams that now define an intermediate level IL. The rows R1 and R2 of spaced support columns 21 are spaced at a distance allowing storage of at least one container therebetween below the intermediate level IL. The spaced adjacent horizontal beams 25 are at a distance matching the dimension of a container allowing storage of at least one container thereon above the intermediate level IL.

Abstract: A shipping container includes a container configured to be secured onto a vessel or a vehicle. The shipping container further includes at least one wingsail stored in the container and configured to be unfolded to deploy from the container and folded to be stowed in the container.

Abstract: A self-storage facility. The facility comprises a first set of commercial containers forming a first level of storage volume and a second set of commercial containers, atop the first set, forming a second level of storage volume.

Abstract: A modular electric power plant housed within a container equipped with a transformer for direct connection to an local power distribution system that can supply energy in remote areas is disclosed. The container provides noise control, and includes a set of units that are interconnected and are capable of generating medium-voltage electric power for supplying a local power distribution system. The units include generator units; a cooling unit; a distribution unit and transformer built-in to a tank for collecting spilled oil. The built-in tanks have double walls for collecting contaminated oil/water installed inside the container base, while air inlets for aiding cooling and at least one pair of fans are provided in the cooling unit compartment. The generator units are powered by gas, diesel, or biodiesel automotive engines. Each generator is connected to an exhaust pipe for gases that is installed on the container upper wall.

Abstract: A high-pressure pressure vessel for storing natural gas comprises a plurality of first vessel regions of first diameters, a plurality of couplers, and a fiber layer. A three dimensional volume is filled using at least in part the plurality of first vessel regions. Each coupler of the plurality of couplers couples each pair of first vessel regions of the plurality of first vessel regions. Each coupler of the plurality of couplers comprises a second vessel region of a second diameter and two third vessel regions that transition diameters between the first diameter and the second diameter. The three dimensional volume is filled using at least in part the plurality of couplers. The first vessel regions and the couplers comprise a material with low permeability to natural gas. The fiber layer surrounds the plurality of first vessel regions and the plurality of couplers.

Abstract: A vessel is adapted to perform subsea wellbore related operations involving a riser string between the subsea wellbore and the vessel, e.g. drilling and/or wellbore intervention. The vessel includes a hull having a deck, and a riser storage hold present within the hull below the deck. The riser storage hold includes storage racks adapted to store therein parallel stacks of multiple riser sections and/or pre-assembled riser stands in horizontal orientation. The vessel has an elongated riser transfer opening between the deck and the roof, the riser transfer opening extending in a direction parallel to the storage racks, the riser transfer opening having a length and a width so as to allow for transfer of a single riser section or a single riser stand in horizontal orientation via the riser transfer opening out of and into the riser storage hold, wherein the risers' handling system is suitable to work at the same time with two different lengths.

Abstract: A ship for transporting cargo gas, such as natural gas, includes a ship structure and a middle transverse bulkhead constructed by gas storage containers. Each gas storage container includes an enclosure and a pipe coil within the enclosure that contains the cargo gas and it is the enclosures of the gas storage containers that are integrated into the ship structure to form the middle transverse bulk head.

Abstract: “CONSTRUCTION DEVICE INTRODUCED INTO AN ELECTRICAL POWER PLANT MODULE”, more specifically relating to an electrical power plant module (1) of the type used for accessibility to electrical energy, primarily in remote areas such as isolated rural communities, mining camps, oil platforms, areas recently affected by storms, areas affected by earthquakes, offshore platforms, etc.

Abstract: A housing contains a plurality of motorized transport units in a stacked relationship to one another, with a bottom-most one of the plurality of motorized transport units serving as a locomotion mechanism that selectively causes movement of the housing with the plurality of motorized transport units contained therein. By one approach the aforementioned housing has a cylindrical form factor and includes a cylindrically-shaped chamber configured to receive the motorized transport units, By one approach, for example, this housing includes no lifting mechanism to lift any of the motorized transport units into itself and further has no integral locomotion mechanism by which the housing can move itself. The interior of the housing can include at least one track formed therein to receive a corresponding part of each of the plurality of motorized transport units which the motorized transport units can engage to thereby lift themselves into the interior of the housing.

Abstract: An assembly includes a combustion engine and a housing to protect an engine, wherein the housing has a first wall and the first wall has a container.

Abstract: A method for using a gripping mechanism and a gripping mechanism for lifting devices is disclosed. In an embodiment a gripping mechanism includes a frame comprising parallel longitudinal members and cross members, a connecting device supported by the frame, the connecting device configured to receive a lifting gear and carriages connected to the longitudinal members, the carriages configured to be adjustable along the longitudinal members, wherein the carriages are adjustable by a drive. The gripping mechanism further includes rewinding devices located at the carriages and continuous flexible elements configured to receive a product to be transported, wherein ends of the continuous flexible elements are connected to the rewind devices, and wherein the rewinding devices are configured to lengthen or shorten the continuous flexible elements.

Abstract: An aircraft carrier replenishment system conveying goods using containers and oil tanks is disclosed. Two sides of the main body of each of an aircraft carrier and a replenishment ship are each provided with a loading window. The window at one side is a container loading window, and a container crane is provided in the window. The window at the other side is an oil loading window, and an operation room for connecting an oil delivery pipe is provided in the window. A marine crane for hoisting transport and oil travel between the aircraft and the replenishment ship. A network communication system is providing for connecting the aircraft carrier, the replenishment ship and the transport ships.

Abstract: The present invention has been developed to improve the way a payload support platform, such as a mole, is driven between one site and another, particularly when the second site is the interior of a Lift which interfaces with a Pallet Handling System (PHS) of a ship. In a first aspect the invention proposes that the driving means which drives the payload support platform along a rail (10) is also used to move that rail (10) relative to the payload support platform and a support rail (22) so that the position of the rail can be changed during the movement of the payload support platform between one site and another. The payload support platform is lockable to the support rail (22), such that the force which drives the payload support platform along the rail (10) changes to driving the rail (10) relative to the support rail (22).

Abstract: A vessel comprising a primary platform (1003) moveably connected to a secondary platform (1029) by one or more legs (1007, 1009, 1011, 1013) is disclosed. The primary and secondary platform (1003, 1029) are moveable along the legs, wherein the secondary platform is moveable independently from the primary platform. The invention has particular application in the repair maintenance, and construction of wind turbines.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system, and a vessel suitable for use in implementing said method, whereby the vessel comprises a raised or raisable section, which enables the vessel to pass over a portion of a base of the hydroelectric turbine system, when located in a flooded dry dock, which portion of the base projects above the water line in the dock.

Abstract: A modular payload system for an autonomous water vehicle includes a hull formed with a recessed portion that extends longitudinally over a region where a transverse cross section of a lower portion of the recess is constant along the region. A plurality of payload boxes are sized to fit in the recess and be distributed along the longitudinal axis. A transverse cross section of a lower portion of each payload box is configured complementarily with the lower portion of the recess. The payload boxes can be sized so that one payload box has a longitudinal dimension that is an integral multiple of the longitudinal dimension of the second payload box. The payload boxes can have complementarily positioned external electrical connectors to allow a jumper cable to serially connect the payload boxes.

Abstract: To measure salinity and water temperature in a marine surface layer using data obtained by a marine radar, a deviation ?S' between effect of an ocean wave on received power RSI0? in a reference time zone and effect of the ocean wave on received power RSIm? in a measurement time zone is estimated, a deviation ?s? between effect of the ocean wave on the received power RSI0? in the reference time zone and effect of the ocean wave on the received power in an electrical conductivity variable time zone is estimated, a regression function f(?) of a relationship between received power obtained by subtracting the deviation ?s? from the received power in the electrical conductivity variable time zone and electrical conductivity ? in the electrical conductivity variable time zone is estimated, and a value of electrical conductivity ?c in a measurement time zone is estimated, thereby calculating practical salinity.

Abstract: This ship 10 is a ship for transporting cargos such as containers, and it is possible to efficiently perform the cargo handling operation for cargos. A lower hold 16 is provided below a deck 15 in a hull 14. The deck 15 is provided with protruding portions 17 and 18 protruding in the right and left side directions of the hull, and a plurality of frameworks 21 each including vertical pillars 22 and 23 fixed to the respective protruding portions 17 and 18 and a horizontal beam 24 through which the vertical pillars 17 and 18 are connected to each other are provided for the deck 15. Openable partition covers 25 are provided between frameworks adjacent to each other, and an upper hold 26 is formed on the deck 15 by the partition covers 25 and the deck 15. The cargo handling operation for the lower hold 16 is performed by an inboard crane 33 provided in the lower hold 16, and at the same time, the cargo handling operation for the upper hold 26 is performed by a quay crane 37.

Abstract: A liquid cargo storage tank and a ship including the same are provided. The liquid cargo storage tank according to the present invention comprises: a body installed in a hull of a ship and having a liquid cargo receiving space by forming a space between the body and the hull; and a reinforcing plate installed in the lower part of the body in a state of being spaced apart from the underside of the body to be a floor of the liquid cargo receiving space.

Abstract: A monohull offshore vessel includes a hull having a moonpool and a pipe storage. A multipurpose tower is mounted on the hull at the moonpool, and a pipe handling system is provided for handling pipes to be used with the multipurpose tower. The pipe handling system includes a gantry beam provided at opposite ends thereof with guides for interacting with horizontal guide tracks extending along opposite sides of the pipe storage for movement along the pipe storage. The guides supporting the gantry beam extend beyond the pipe storage, such that the pipe handling system can cover parts of the vessel other than the pipe storage to transport pipes and/or other objects.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a monohull offshore drilling vessel comprising: a hull having a moonpool and a main deck, which hull further has a hold, which hold has a floor and a side wall, a firing line hoist system that is mounted on the hull above the moonpool, which firing line hoist system comprises a mast, which is connected to the hull of the drilling vessel, a pipe storage for storing drill pipes in a substantially horizontal position, a riser storage for storing risers in a substantially horizontal position, wherein the pipe storage and/or the riser storage extend to the floor of the hold.

Abstract: A method of installing an offshore wind turbine and a transport vessel for use therewith in which a part of a wind turbine is secured to the transport vessel by raising the part in a perpendicular direction relative to the transport vessel into a transport position using a lifting device arranged on the transport vessel at a loading site. The transport vessel is then moved from the loading site out to an installation site. The transport vessel is secured to an offshore foundation which is located at the installation site. The wind turbine is then lowered onto an upper part of the offshore foundation using the lifting means. Finally, the transport vessel is released and moved away. This method eliminates the need for specially designed installation vessels using a crane to install an offshore wind turbine, thereby reducing the total installation costs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a ship, in particular a cargo ship, having a load surface for receiving load items, in particular piece goods. The invention concerns in particular a ship whose load surface has a plurality of receiving means which can be connected to fixing means and which are distributed in a grid over the load surface. The invention further concerns a floor element for a ship, in particular a cargo ship, and a securing element.

Abstract: A box storage pontoon rack vessel allows a paddler to carry more items without compromising the capacity restrictions and maneuverability of a kayak. The box storage can be made in a plurality of containers that can be made waterproof. The plurality of containers can be designed in multiple sizes to assist in storing various sized items in their own containers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-speed sealift system which meets the requirement of the 21st century. In the 21st century, the indispensable requisites for a commercial sealift system that is to be deployed across the five oceans are high speed and stability. The present invention relates to a high-speed sealift system which operates at the super-high speed of 40 knots to 70 knots, and which is capable of the marine transport, in a quick and safe manner, of perishable goods, expensive capital goods, goods the volume or weight of which result in them being incapable of being transported via the air, strategic military goods, and capable of the large-scale redeployment of forces, and particularly, parts or equipment and materials which require a timely arrival.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for handling cargo on board and to/from a vessel, wherein said system includes a cargo vessel with a plurality of cargo decks, a number of side doors, a cargo elevator located inside each side door communicating with said cargo decks, and a crane located inside each side door, the system further includes a number of standardized cargo load platforms with legs, the cargo load platforms being adapted to store cargo, the cargo load platforms being stored on the cargo decks in slots along the sides of the vessel and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vessel and with a passageway between the slots along the longitudinal axis of the vessel, the system further includes a number of trolleys adapted to transport the load platforms between the slots and the cargo elevators.

Abstract: A roll-on and roll-off ship comprising a front part, a rear part and a central part is disclosed. The ship is arranged with holds adapted to accommodate containers etc. in the front part and in the rear parts and roll on/roll off cargo in the central part of the ship. The central part extends from the tank top to a level above the weather deck. A ramp is provided in the aft part of the ship, and the roll on/roll off cargo transits from the ramp to the third cargo hold section via a passageway arranged in the aft part of the ship. The passageway may be arranged as a tunnel, which may be adapted to support cargo stowed above the passageway.

Abstract: A partially submersible wind turbine transport vessel (10) is provided. The vessel includes a port-side wing tank (30) disposed on a port side of the hull (22) and a starboard-side wing tank (28) is disposed on a starboard side of the hull. Both wing tanks (28, 30) are positioned to be above a waterline (WL) of the vessel when the vessel is in a horizontal position, and below a waterline of the vessel when the vessel is in a vertical position. The vessel is configured to rotate, while afloat, about a lateral axis (L) of the hull, altering a pitch of the vessel in such a way as to completely submerge the stern and elevate the bow to a substantially vertical hull position. The floatable wind turbine can then be separated from the vessel and moored.

Abstract: A pipe handling system for handling the pipes from a cargo hull includes a gantry beam and a guide mast assembly having an essentially vertical guide mast. The guide mast assembly is moveably connected to the gantry beam, allowing movement of the guide mast assembly in a vertical direction between a lowered mast position and a lifted mast position relative to the gantry beam. A lifting part includes a device configured to engage a pipe. The lifting part is moveable by one or more hoists in a vertical direction between a lowered lifting part position for picking up the pipe and a lifted lifting part position. The lifted part engages on the guide mast assembly, such that the guide mast assembly causes vertical guidance of the lifting part when the guide mast assembly with the engaged lifting part is moved between the lowered mast position and the lifted mast position.

Abstract: A vessel for transporting and hoisting offshore wind turbine includes a hull, fixing brackets, first sliding rails, second sliding rails, a buffer device, rotary cranes and winch devices. A U-shaped opening is provided at the stern of the hull for a wind turbine to pass through. The fixing brackets are arranged in two rows in parallel, and their bottoms are fixed onto the deck in the hull. The second sliding rails are in parallel with the first sliding rails. A hanging beam slidably matched with the first sliding rails is installed on the body of the wind turbine. The buffer device is fixed to the bottom of the wind turbine. The rotary cranes are fixed on the top of two sides of the U-shaped opening. The winch devices are installed on the stern of the hull. An offshore wind turbine transporting and hoisting method using the vessel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-hulled vessel (10) configured as a trimaran. The multi-hulled vessel (10) comprises a main hull (15) and at least one outer hull (17) to each side of the main hull, the main hull (15) and each side hull (17) adjacent thereto being interconnected by a bridge structure (19). The bridge structure (19) and the hulls (15, 17) connected thereby cooperating to provide a deck surface (21) adapted to carry a load. The main hull 15) is configured to define at least one engine room (45) below the deck surface (21) and trunking (70) for provision of services to the engine room. The trunking (70) is routed below the area of the deck surface (21) required for carrying a load. Because the trunking (70) is routed below the area of the deck surface (21) required for load-carrying, it does not extend through that area of the deck surface to impede load movements.

Abstract: This ship 10 is a ship for transporting cargos such as containers, and it is possible to efficiently perform the cargo handling operation for cargos. A lower hold 16 is provided below a deck 15 in a hull 14. The deck 15 is provided with protruding portions 17 and 18 protruding in the right and left side directions of the hull, and a plurality of frameworks 21 each including vertical pillars 22 and 23 fixed to the respective protruding portions 17 and 18 and a horizontal beam 24 through which the vertical pillars 17 and 18 are connected to each other are provided for the deck 15. Openable partition covers 25 are provided between frameworks adjacent to each other, and an upper hold 26 is formed on the deck 15 by the partition covers 25 and the deck 15. The cargo handling operation for the lower hold 16 is performed by an inboard crane 33 provided in the lower hold 16, and at the same time, the cargo handling operation for the upper hold 26 is performed by a quay crane 37.

Abstract: A roll-on and roll-off ship comprising a front part, a rear part and a central part is disclosed. The ship is arranged with holds adapted to accommodate containers etc. in the front part and in the rear parts and roll on/roll off cargo in the central part of the ship. The central part extends from the tank top to a level above the weather deck. A ramp is provided in the aft part of the ship, and the roll on/roll off cargo transits from the ramp to the third cargo hold section via a passageway arranged in the aft part of the ship. The passageway may be arranged as a tunnel, which may be adapted to support cargo stowed above the passageway.

Abstract: A system for rapid, secure transport of cargo by sea includes a monohull fast ship and an arrangement for loading and unloading cargo through an opening in the stern of the ship and along a driving surface of a cargo carrying deck of the ship. The arrangement includes a self-propelled, automatically guided vehicle for carrying cargo to be transported during loading and unloading of the ship and a self-contained security scanning system on the vehicle for maintaining control and surveillance of cargo in transit on the vehicle. The ship includes a reader grid of ship communication system on the cargo carrying deck to which continued control and surveillance of the cargo can be handed off from the vehicle scanning system.

Abstract: A pallet storage installation for stock keeping of goods to be stored for use in a ship includes storage rows placed on both sides of a storage aisle, a transport device movable in the storage aisle for storing in and out pallets with a carrier plate into the storage rows, wherein storage rows for forming several store rooms separated by walls which can be separated by walls are placed on both sides of the storage aisle, wherein each pallet is configured as a box with a carrier plate and with side walls, whereby the carrier plate is provided with stands placed in the carrier plate corner areas.

Abstract: An ocean going vessel with interchangeable superstructure and hull in which the superstructure has control units for controlling propulsion and steering, as well as components for communication and navigation. The superstructure and the hull each have an interface providing quick connect and disconnect capability between the control units of the superstructure and the components being controlled of the hull. A system for interchanging superstructures and hulls for ocean going vessels is enabled in which the superstructure of an inbound vessel is removed and transferred to an outbound hull with the use of a crane at the port facility. This facilitates quick turnaround time of the superstructure and crew of the inbound vessel. This also enables inbound ship hulls to be inspected without delaying the outbound hull that has been preloaded from being shipped out of port with the transferred superstructure.

Abstract: A system for rapid, secure transport of cargo by sea includes a monohull fast ship and an arrangement for loading and unloading cargo through an opening in the stern of the ship and along a driving surface of a cargo carrying deck of the ship. The arrangement includes a self-propelled, automatically guided vehicle for carrying cargo to be transported during loading and unloading of the ship and a self-contained security scanning system on the vehicle for maintaining control and surveillance of cargo in transit on the vehicle. The ship includes a reader grid of ship communication system on the cargo carrying deck to which continued control and surveillance of the cargo can be handed off from the vehicle scanning system.

Abstract: A multi-purpose cargo hold, carrier vessel, and shipping methods for circulating conditioned air through multiple levels and types of cargo situated therein. Disclosed are apparatus and methods for shipping and conditioning air surrounding cargo on a carrier vessel comprising the steps of loading cargo onto a loading means; forming a plurality of air gaps throughout the cargo in the cargo hold; placing supply and return air plenums in fluid communication with one another; and delivering and circulating conditioned air to cargo via an air conditioning means.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for delivery of commercial cargo containers shore side without container terminals. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. These improvements allow the containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, to approach a shore autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location and in a specific order of arrival, thereby reducing the number of cargo handlers required, speeding the delivery process to the shore, and eliminating the need for high-technology pier-side equipment.

Abstract: The invention regards a multipurpose support vessel (1), comprising a hull (2) with a bow (3) and a stern (4) and with a propulsion arrangement (5), a bridge (6) and accommodation quarters (7) and storage areas (8) for loads and cargo. On the vessel (1) the bridge (6) and accommodation quarters (7), which forms a superstructure, are located in the aft part of the vessel (1). Almost all storage areas (8) for loads and cargo are positioned between the superstructure (6,7) and the bow section (3) of the vessel. The invention also regards a method for loading/unloading the vessel (1) at an offshore installation.

Abstract: A marine vessel includes a hull and has at least one load carrying facility defined by at least one loading space with a given height, a given width and a given length, whereby the loading space is provided on a bulkhead deck, and a propulsion arrangement, which includes at least one steerable thruster unit connected by a shaft arrangement to a drive means. In order to provide better access to the bulkhead deck for loading and unloading the marine vessel, the steerable thruster unit is arranged below the bulkhead deck and the drive means is arranged above the loading space. The shaft arrangement comprises a substantially vertical shaft section extending from the drive means above the loading space through the given height of the loading space and to the steerable thruster unit below the bulkhead deck.

Abstract: A drag-reduction concept for vehicles with open cavities includes dividing a cavity into smaller adjacent cavities through installation of one or more vertical dividers. The dividers may extend the full depth of the cavity or only partial depth. In either application, the top of the dividers are typically flush with the top of the bed or cargo bay of the vehicle. The dividers may be of any material, but are strong enough for both wind loads and forces encountered during cargo loading/unloading. For partial depth dividers, a structural angle may be desired to increase strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method and system for delivery of commercial cargo containers shore side without container terminals. The present invention utilizes containers made autonomous by coupling a container with a detachable propulsion system, having a motor and navigation and steering controls, permitting the rapid, controlled, efficient and safe delivery of cargo containers individually by water. Ballast units, deployment systems and control via remote units are also disclosed. These improvements allow the containers, utilizing their inherent buoyancy, to approach a shore autonomously according to a preplanned or remote controlled route to a specific location and in a specific order of arrival, thereby reducing the number of cargo handlers required, speeding the delivery process to the shore, and eliminating the need for high-technology pier-side equipment.