BOURBON ORCA

Model of revolutionary X-Bow at London Science Museum
Visitors can see for themselves one of the most startling changes in ship design of recent years



In February, the Ulstein Group was contacted by the Science Museum in London. Their goal was to achieve a model of an ULSTEIN X-BOW® for the museum. The model has now arrived and visitors will soon see at first hand the extraordinary shape and form of the bow for themselves.

Conservation manager Jannicke K. Langfeldt sent an email to Ulstein saying that as the Science Museum in London is one of the world´s leading museums for innovation, science and technology they actively collect innovations in technology and science for our collections.

"The reason why I contact Ulstein Verft is because we are currently updating our shipping gallery." she said in her email, "It would be great if we can come forward with information in the latest in ship designs - Ulstein´s X-Bow." adding that they were very interested in a model of the X-bow for the collection.

"We are interested because this is a new design that is more seaworthy and energy efficient than earlier designs, and because it is the first new major alteration in ship designs for a long time...”

Ulstein's CEO Gunvor Ulstein said,

”We considered this as an interesting and original inquiry, and decided to donate a model for the museum. We chose Bourbon Orca, because this was the first vessel with the ULSTEIN X-BOW® .

"Bourbon Offshore Norway and ODIM cooperated on this first vessel, and the cooperation continues: All three companies share the costs in building the model."

The Science Museum has more than 2.4 million visitors every year. The model has now reached London, and the new attraction will be a part of the permanent displays from September.