Graduation Assignment - Increasing Thialf's station keeping capacity in high current areas

Increase the applicability of existing technology through the clever use of temporary external assistance.

Your role in the story
Are you a final-year student with a passion for offshore engineering and looking for a graduation assignment that can make real impact? Kick-start your career with a graduation project in the heart of marine engineering with strong links to structural engineering and naval architecture. As a graduation student, you’ll dive into a challenging assignment that contributes to potential future developments. You'll be guided by experienced engineers and exposed to the practical world of offshore engineering, from concept development to project execution.

What’s the challenge Heerema Marine Contractors’ Semi-Submersible Crane Vessel (SSCV) Thialf relies on its Dynamic Positioning (DP) system to maintain position during offshore operations. In areas with strong currents, the available thruster capacity may limit the vessel’s ability to remain on position, thereby reducing the operational weather window.
As there is increasing demand for offshore operations in high-current areas, HMC is interested in identifying practical solutions to enhance Thialf’s station-keeping capacity. Potential solutions may include modifications to the vessel’s existing systems, temporary equipment, external assistance, or combinations thereof. The preferred solution should be operationally feasible, compatible with the vessel’s DP system and require minimal permanent modifications to the vessel.

Your mission & goals
The goal of the assignment is to develop a conceptual design for a system that allows the Thialf to gain additional station-keeping capacity. Potential challenges include, but are not limited to, the following::

• Establishing the required additional station-keeping capacity for representative operational and environmental conditions.
• Identifying and evaluating alternative concepts for generating or providing the required additional station-keeping force
• Defining the interfaces between Thialf and any additional equipment, system or external force source.
• Assessing how the capabilities and operational limitations of the proposed solution affect the vessel’s overall workability.
• Evaluating the structural implications for Thialf, while preferably avoiding major modifications to the existing vessel.
• Assessing the implications for Thialf’s DP system, including the interaction between the proposed solution, the vessel’s thrusters and the DP control system.
  
  
  The end goal is a report capturing the conceptual design and the options considered and evaluated. The adopted design requirements, modelling approach, operational limitations and supporting calculations will also be documented.
  
  What you’ll gain During this assignment, you will gain experience in a conceptual design process, balancing structural, hydrodynamic, operational and control-system requirements. You will use various numerical tools to quantify the behaviour and workability of Thialf. Furthermore, this assignment will enable you to become acquainted with working in the offshore industr
  
  Is this you?
• You are currently pursuing an MSc in Offshore, Maritime, Mechanical, Civil, or a related Engineering field
• You have a keen interest in floating offshore structures, dynamics, and conceptual design
• You have basic knowledge of hydromechanics and DP systems is a plus
• You are comfortable communicating in English, the official written language within the company
  
  Practical Information
  Start date: start 2027 (flexible upon agreement)
  Duration: 6-9 months
  Location: Leiden

• What we offer
• A challenging and meaningful assignment aligned with your study goals;
• Guidance from senior engineers and project leads;
• An innovative work environment with access to cutting-edge tools and infrastructure;
• A monthly internship allowance;
  
  Opportunities for future career steps within our company (internship as a stepping stone).
  Ready to graduate with impact? Apply now and take the first step toward your offshore engineering career!
  
  We are looking forward to hearing from you. We are interested in your CV, but we mainly want to find out more about your ambitions, your personality, and what is your motivation to succeed. So be sure to include a brief cover letter explaining why you are the perfect fit for this graduation assignment.
  
  So hit the button, apply, and make the impossible possible with Heerema. We’d love to meet you!