Bourbon, International leader in marine services for modern offshore

Technological Innovation

BOURBON, a major player in technological innovation in terms of ship design and construction, works closely with the best marine architects to break new ground in all areas of ship design.
The inverted bow of the Bourbon Orca (design by Ulstein) and the new design of the Supramax (Green Seas) are illustrations of this ongoing innovation policy. BOURBON teams up with the most innovative equipment makers and urges manufacturers to perfect their equipment as it applies specifically to its business lines.
Thus, the BOURBON vessels are the first to benefit from innovations like the PG-MACS™ system (Per Gjerdrum), which increases hold storage capacity and offers multi-functionality of the tanks.
Through its policy of investing in large-scale vessel mass production, BOURBON encourages the transfer of technology from the shipyards building the largest vessels in the world. This strategy is driving the trend throughout the sector, allowing it to expand to admit new companies using manufacturing methods such as pre-assembly and modular construction.

The new BOURBON technologies:

1/ Diesel-electric

An economical and environmentally friendly propulsion method that reduces fuel consumption by 20 to 30 %.

2/ X-Bow™

A revolutionary design with an inverted bow. This system makes the vessel more sea-worthy and reduces resistance to forward movement. It improves the stability, fluidity and maneuverability of the vessel and its cruising speed under difficult conditions.

3/ Safe AHTS

A number of new generation "Bourbon Liberty" vessels (24 PSV and 54 AHTS), of GPA design, will be delivered gradually between now and 2011. Designed for deepwater and continental offshore,, they are equipped with the latest technologies. Thanks to diesel-electric propulsion and DP2 dynamic positioning, they have better maneuverability as well as better cargo capacity, thus improving safety conditions.

4/ PG-MACS™

The PG-MACS™ (Multi Application Cargo Solution) system increases hold storage capacity and offers multi-functionality of the tanks.

5/ Subsea robots (ROVs)

BOURBON is expanding its line of subsea robots and adding to its fleet of electro hydraulic energy Work Class Vehicles, increasing it from 7 to 21 units by the year 2012. Work Class ROVs offer from 75 to 150 horsepower. They can transport loads weighing more than 250 kg thanks to a basket-like structure and can be used in repair and construction work at a depth of 4,000 meters.
100 % electric, these subsea robots have:

• an excellent acoustic signature,
• better output,
• Dynamic positioning.