Dynamic station-keeping capability analysis
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We help determine the operational window in which your vessel can perform its tasks safely and efficiently by maintaining its position and heading.
Effective operational risk management depends on reducing ambiguity in the understanding of station-keeping capability. Identifying gaps between theoretical capability and actual station-keeping capability is essential.
DNV GL helps to estimate this gap and secure safe dynamic positioning (DP) operations through dynamic station-keeping capability analysis (DP Capability Level 3 run with DynCap).
DynCap is a tool developed by DNV GL for accurate assessments of the station-keeping performance of DP vessels. DynCap complies with the Level 3 and Level 3-Site methods as specified in the DNVGL-ST-0111 standard. It uses time-domain simulations, considering the complete vessel, environmental forces and control system dynamics, to provide more insight into the vessel’s station-keeping performance compared to traditional, quasi static analyses.
Typical DynCap applications – from design to operations
- Design phase: DynCap supports, among others, the selection of the optimal thruster or power layout, comparing performance from different vessels.
- Planning of operations: DynCap can be used, for example, for selecting the right vessel for the operation, finding optimal positioning strategies and determining the operational window and operability.
- In operations: The DynCap software application can be employed, for example, as a decision-supporting tool for contingency and maintenance planning.
Benfits of DynCap services:
- DynCap allows for the evaluation of the vessel’s footprint, statistics of the vessel’s motion, thruster and power utilization, and fuel consumption under realistic, dynamic conditions.
- Gain better insights than from the traditional quasi static DP capability analyses, which are generally non-conservative, lacking proper handling of dynamic effects such as vessel motion, time-varying environment, and rate limitations in the propulsion and power system.
- Yield results close to reality and remove assumptions by running simulations in time domains that include the relevant dynamics and characteristics of the vessel and its equipment, environmental forces, external forces and control systems.
- Tailor the positioning limits and other acceptance criteria in the analysis to the requirements for each vessel and operation, for example by looking at the station-keeping footprint, sea-keeping criteria, dynamic power load, crane tip accelerations, stroke of gangways for transfer of personnel and transient motion after failure.
- Find the optimal vessel design configurations and ensure the vessel is fit for purpose.