Van Oord's subsea rock installation vessel Bravenes, designed by Ulstein

First steel for Ulstein integrated vessel design

After the Dutch offshore contractor Van Oord awarded the design and equipment contract for their new subsea rock installation (SRI) vessel ‘Bravenes’ to Ulstein in September 2014 and contracting Sinopacific for the construction of the vessel, first steel has now been cut for this innovative vessel.
Published
30 May 2015
Share

She is set to be delivered by end 2016. Working in close cooperation with Van Oord, it is the first fully integrated design where the Dutch Ulstein companies have been responsible for the development and integration of both the mission equipment and vessel design.

The DP-3 vessel is a unique design featuring the distinct X-BOW® hull line and meets the requirements for Clean Design Notation, Green Passport and Ice Class 1A ? PC7. The vessel and its equipment are designed for year-round operability in harsh weather and high-sea states.

Ulstein will also supply the main Fall Pipe Deployment system and the majority of the ancillary systems of the rock installation tower. Ulstein puts a strong focus on simplicity, by mechanizing the systems as much as possible, enabling higher levels of safety and control and as such minimising human interaction during the deployment and recovery of the fall pipe.

Latest news

Greg Mortimer's X-BOW cutting the seas, photo: Scott Portelli/Aurora Expeditions.
Feature

Aurora Expeditions: Redefining small-ship exploration with X-BOW® designs

Aurora Expeditions welcomed its third X-BOW cruise vessel, Douglas Mawson, in September 2025. “Many of our guests have travelled on other expedition ships before and immediately notice the difference. Whether it’s sleeping better at night, feeling less vibration during lectures, or spending more time in observation areas, the design truly enhances the experience,” says Katie Malone, Chief Marketing Officer at Aurora Expeditions, when commenting on the X-BOW design feature.

Employees from Ulstein Design Solutions AS ULS 01203 PES7868
Press Release

Ulstein Group awarded IDC’s ‘Teamwork of the Year 2025’

Ulstein Group received the 'Teamwork of the Year 2025 Award' at the IDC conference in Ålesund on 16 October 2025. The jury stated that: "Ulstein Group has built a culture where all disciplines are equally valued. The results speak for themselves: forward-looking vessels that meet both commercial and societal goals. Ulstein demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to groundbreaking solutions in the maritime sector, showcasing a strong ability to bring together designers, engineers, and key personnel in developing holistic concepts that combine technology, function, and aesthetics. Collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders – from local partners to international clients – drives innovation with global impact."