X-STERN®
The X-STERN introduces the documented X-BOW® effect to the aft ship, harnessing the benefits of improved safety for crew and equipment, increased flexibility in operations and reduced fuel consumption.
Elevate your maritime journey
X-STERN brings groundbreaking stability, eco-efficiency, and an uncompromised commitment to safety.
- Enhanced stability
- With the X-STERN facing the weather, vessels experience reduced pitch motion and a broader operational window, especially during weather vaning.
- Efficiency boost
- When the stern is positioned toward the weather, propulsion power requirements can decrease by up to 50% compared to a bow-facing orientation.
- Superior comfort
- The stern's quartering seas design minimizes wave response and slamming, leading to decreased accelerations and improved onboard experience.
- Safety first
- A sheltered aft deck and elevated freeboard reduce the risk of green water on deck, ensuring a safer environment for crew, passengers, and equipment.
- Streamlined performance
- The X-STERN design offers up to a 28% reduction in resistance in calm waters and waves.
- Power conservation
- Sailing astern using the X-STERN allows up to a 60% reduction in power consumption, emphasizing fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility.
The X-STERN met all our expectations. It is amazing to see a vessel going backwards in bad weather without slamming and having spray on deck.
'Windea La Cour', BS Offshore
With the stern towards the weather, we experience absolutely no slamming and vibrations, not even when we are in transfer, and people love it.
Matthias
DP operator, Windea La Cour
X-STERN feedback
X-STERN, inspired by X-BOW®, revolutionizes aft-ship design. Eliminating traditional slamming and vibrations, it ensures energy efficiency, heightened comfort, and superior safety during voyages.
Proven design - see our references
Related stories
Why is backing preferred in SOVs?
Operational feedback shows that SOV crews choose to operate the vessels in astern mode while in-field. The 'aft first' experience is improved with the X-STERN, which has been introduced to several offshore wind service ships.
Feature
This is why Acta Auriga was chosen for BARD Offshore 1
Acta Auriga was contracted to work at the offshore wind farm BARD Offshore 1: “Ocean Breeze Energy decided on this vessel due to a favourable combination of capability, capacity, design and fuel consumption. The delivery precision from Ulstein was also important.”
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Why should Service Operation Vessels be the standard at offshore wind farms?
Offshore Wind Farms are being established further from shore. At some point, overnight stays for the service technicians become necessary, and the transport normally done by Crew Transfer Vessels must be replaced by other transport tools. SOVs are becoming the new standard.
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Hard rocker at work, enjoying the silence
Checking out that ocean view! If the weather is good, this is Matthias Giebichenstein's everyday sight. He works six weeks as a senior DP operator on the Windea La Cour, on one of the world's largest wind farms. Then he goes ashore and takes on his alter ego, 'Chief Mad', as the singer of the hard rock band Magic Hum.
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Redefining maritime efficiency
Experience transformative maritime efficiency with Ulstein's designs. We're setting new benchmarks in sustainable seafaring excellence by bridging fuel optimisation with heightened comfort and safety.
X-BOW®
The ULSTEIN X-BOW®, the inverted bow concept, redefined marine engineering. The bow concept was launched in 2005, together with the first shipbuilding contract, and gained immediate interest from shipowners. The X-BOW hull line design has been tried in most weather conditions.
X-STERN®
The X-STERN introduces the documented X-BOW® effect to the aft ship, harnessing the benefits of improved safety for crew and equipment, increased flexibility in operations and reduced fuel consumption.
TWIN X-STERN®
The TWIN X-STERN® is the latest addition to the innovative designs of X-BOW® and X-STERN® that enhance fuel efficiency and operability. Its unique features distinguish it from others, and its exceptional quality lies beneath the waterline.
