What kind of vessel typically operates with a DP system?

Offshore support vessels are specifically designed and equipped to carry out a range of activities in offshore oil and gas operations, including drilling, construction, and maintenance. These vessels require precise positioning to maintain their location in dynamic marine environments, which is where a Dynamic Positioning (DP) system becomes essential.

DP systems enable these vessels to automatically maintain their position using sophisticated sensors and thrusters. This capability is crucial for offshore operations that demand high stability, particularly when working on or near sensitive underwater infrastructure or during adverse weather conditions.

While fishing vessels, container ships, and bulk carriers may utilize some level of positioning technology, they do not typically require DP systems for their operations in the same way offshore support vessels do. Fishing vessels may rely more on traditional navigation methods, and container ships or bulk carriers primarily follow set routes and are more concerned with cargo efficiency than precise positioning at a worksite. Therefore, offshore support vessels stand out as the type of vessel that predominantly operates with a DP system.