Power Generation & Distribution
Gulf Construction provides end-to-end services for designing, class approving, building, and installing power and distribution systems on vessels, covering both upgrades and newbuilds.
Gulf Construction Power & Automation provides a comprehensive offering for marine power plant and distribution systems, offering services ranging from upgrading existing systems to the design and construction of entirely new systems for a diverse range of vessels.
New Build
In the domain of new builds, we specialise in developing specifications and overall system architecture, establishing operating philosophies, and creating single line diagrams. Our expertise extends to designing and building common AC and common DC bus systems, incorporating variable speed generators, and seamlessly integrating energy storage, fully electric, or hybrid technologies. This includes connections for shore power/charging and offshore power/charging. We conduct load balance calculations, short circuit studies, selectivity (discrimination) studies, harmonic calculations, and Failure Modes and Effects Criticality Analysis (FMECA). Our detailed design and build processes adhere to marine classification society rules, covering main switchboards, main distribution boards, sub-distribution boards, Motor Control Centres (MCCs), hotel, auxiliary, and small power systems. Additionally, we specialise in integrating our MAP-OE™ power management and marine control and automation platform or third-party systems. Our proficiency further extends to the detailed design, build, and approval of control, automation, instrumentation, communications, data, entertainment, and navigation systems.
Retrofit & Upgrade
For retrofit and upgrade projects, Gulf Construction Power & Automation offers detailed design, build, and approval of ‘drop-in’ replacement systems. This includes the replacement of generators, power management systems, engine safety and protection systems, alarm and monitoring systems, switchgear, and instrumentation. We also specialise in designing and integrating remote monitoring, data logging, and acquisition systems for voyage and energy optimisation, fuel reduction, and remote access for maintenance and fault finding. Our expertise extends to upgrades of deck power distribution systems on offshore construction vessels to support construction projects and project-specific equipment spreads. Moreover, we are adept at reactivating systems after layup and cold stacking, ensuring a seamless transition back to operational efficiency.
Automation & Control
Gulf Construction Power & Automation ensures reliable automation for ships, providing a track record in delivering systems from standalone PLC controls to complex DCS setups.
As ships become ever more reliant on automation, reliability and availability of these systems are critical to safe operation of the vessel. Gulf Construction Power & Automation has a long and successful track record of delivering automation and control systems to the marine and offshore sectors ranging from standalone PLC based control systems to complex DCS systems with multiple operator stations and thousands of distributed I/O. We have developed our own sophisticated integrated marine automation and control platform, MAP-OE™ that is built on commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware overlaid with our proprietary visualisation and operator interface software. Coupled with sophisticated remote access and data analysis capabilities, the system provides rich functionality, ease of use and low cost of ownership.
Our capabilities and some examples of our work are as follows:
Ship Systems
• Standalone systems for alarm & monitoring of main and auxiliary machinery.
• Engine and machinery protection & safety systems.
• Integrated automation systems for full vessel platform management.
• Power management systems.
• Propulsion control systems.
• Bow/stern door & ramps control, shell door & watertight door monitoring systems.
• Bilge & ballast control systems.
• Auto heeling systems.
• Cargo control systems.
• LNG transfer systems.
• Vessel wide emergency shutdown and safety systems.
• Vessel performance monitoring, energy management & datalogging systems.
Deck, Offshore & Subsea Equipment
• Lay control systems including carousel, reel drive and tensioner control systems.
• Winch control systems including active heave compensation using our patented X-Wave™ motion compensation system.
• Specialist handling control systems such as deck conveyors, pipeline piggyback direct heating cable installation, pipe handling, subsea mattress installation, rock dumping.
• Subsea cable & umbilical manufacturing lines.
• Control systems for hydraulic power units.
• LARS, A&R and deployment control systems.
• Subsea vehicle control systems for ploughs, ROVs, trenching vehicles and drilling equipment.
• Subsea power take off and control systems for wave and tidal power generation devices.
Hybrid Power
In the shift to eco-friendly maritime practices, modern vessels adopt hybrid power, while traditional ships convert to integrate hybrid components.
In the push towards reduced and zero emissions marine and ports operations, many new build vessels are being equipped with hybrid power and propulsion plant, and existing tonnage is increasingly being converted to include at least some hybrid content. In partnership with our marine and offshore partners ABB, Danfoss and Siemens Gulf Construction Power & Automation is at the forefront of bringing this technology into the UK marine market, both in new build and retrofit applications.
Marine & Offshore
• Hybrid and fully electric marine propulsion systems for zero emissions operation.
• Energy storage, spinning reserve and peak shaving solutions for optimisation of hybrid systems.
• Retrofit AC connected spinning reserve and peak shaving solutions for existing conventional non hybrid vessels in order to reduce emissions and fuel usage and to improve vessel operational resilience.
• Retrofit equipment packages for reducing energy consumption on conventional non hybrid vessels.
• Upgrade packages for existing hybrid systems including battery replacement, power management and automation/control system replacement.
• Shore power/charging and offshore power/charging systems for heavy hybrid and fully electric vessels.
• Silent running in port for reduced noise and zero emissions.
• Energy regeneration & recovery for port cargo handling infrastructure
• Mixed energy source microgrids with solar, grid, wind, diesel backup inputs and integrated energy storage.
• Integrated automation and control with remote data collection and access via our own web portal for reporting, analysis, data collection, predictive maintenance and remote intervention.
Our enviable experience and track record in the marine sector enables us not only to deliver compliant solutions for the vessels themselves but to fully understand the integration, safety and class/flag requirements and constraints when integrating and interfacing such systems.
With our deep understanding of marine and offshore operations we are also able to analyse the operating profile of the vessel and size the equipment accurately for the duty, whilst minimising capex costs and complexity.
Energy Storage
In marine applications, energy storage options include batteries and emerging alternatives like hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, and biofuels.
Hand in hand with hybrid and full electric power systems, goes a reliable and safe means of energy storage. For marine applications this is currently batteries although recent moves towards alternative fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, ammonia and biofuels are gaining increasing traction. Each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Also, supercapacitors play a vital role in servicing short term power dense storage requirements.
Gulf Construction Power & Automation has relationships with several of the leading marine battery and supercapacitor manufacturers and has expertise in the delivery of a number of energy storage applications in the marine and offshore sector including:
• 1MW supercapacitor common DC bus blackout ride through system for a large variable speed drive system for an offshore construction vessel.
• 500kW battery energy storage system to support an autonomous offshore buoy based microgrid for grid simulation at a tidal generation test site.
• Supercapacitor based AC connected emergency backup system for cruise ship propulsion thruster steering gear systems.
• Replacement main battery systems for hybrid ferry propulsion systems.
• Battery buffered power conversion systems for retrofit hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen engines in pilot projects for hydrogen based marine power generation.
• Battery powered hydraulic power units for autonomous offshore installation equipment in the offshore wind sector.
• Battery powered autonomous subsea equipment for lifting applications.
Class and flag approval of such systems is not trivial as rules are becoming increasingly strict to ensure vessel, crew and passenger safety. However, Gulf Construction’s expertise and track record in delivery and approval of complex marine systems with integrated safety enables us to meet these ever demanding requirements.
Installation & Commissioning
Gulf Construction Power & Automation provides marine electrical installations, integration and commissioning to the global maritime sector.
Skill, Experience, and Knowledge in System Installation
When it comes to installing new systems alongside existing older equipment, the paramount importance of skill, experience, and knowledge cannot be overstated. This is particularly crucial in the relatively complex realm of retrofit and life extension projects, where installation time is limited, and testing time is short. Lessons learned from past experiences play a pivotal role in navigating the challenges associated with these projects.
Gulf Construction Power & Automation Installation Services
Our installation services encompass a comprehensive range of activities, ensuring the seamless integration and optimal performance of our designed and built equipment and systems.
Removal of Obsolete Equipment and Retrofit/Upgrade
Conducting site/offshore surveys to prepare for upgrades and dry dock specifications, facilitating the removal of obsolete equipment, and executing retrofit/upgrade projects.
LV & HV Power Distribution Cabling
Skillful installation, termination, and testing of both Low Voltage (LV) and High Voltage (HV) Power Distribution Cabling.
Subsea Cable Installation for Offshore Wind
Expert handling of subsea cables for offshore wind arrays, including the installation, stripping, and containment of power and fiber optic cores.
Comprehensive Cable Testing Services
Offering a thorough cable testing service covering load out, post load out, lay, pull-in, lay, hang off, post burial, and termination phases.
Instrument and Control System Cabling
Proficient installation, termination, and testing of Instrument and Control System Cabling.
Communications & Network Cabling
Ensuring the reliable installation, termination, and testing of Communications & Network Cabling.
Installation of Various Systems
Skillfully installing CCTV, PA, Telephone, Auxiliary Systems, Bridge & Navigation Equipment, and undertaking cable jointing.
Earthing Systems Installation
Expertly handling the installation, termination, and testing of Earthing Systems.
Lighting and Small Power System Installation
Ensuring the proper installation of Lighting and Small Power Systems.