Judy Maksoud • Houston
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New multi-purpose vessel will work anywhere
Following a successful management buyout, C&M Marine Services Ltd. is investing $100 million to purchase and convert a multi-purpose support vessel capable of operating anywhere in the world.
TheIce Maiden, formerly the MV Paardeberg, a 14,000-metric ton (15,432 ton) Russian Class AAA ice-breaker, is in the Atlantic Marine Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, undergoing conversion into a multi-purpose construction vessel with fixed accommodation for 400. It will become the first mono-hull flotel to work in the North Sea.
“When fully-refurbished, theIce Maiden will have ice-breaking capabilities and temperature controlled workshops and will be capable of operating in some of the harshest climates, including the Arctic Circle, where it is reported that over 30% of the world’s remaining hydrocarbons are located,” says group operations director, David Kellas.
Growing exploration and production activity within Arctic waters include such fields as Shtokman, Obskaya, Tazovsskaya Bay, and Sakhalin Island. At present, there are no vessels that can operate for more than four or five months per year in these waters.
TheIce Maiden, with a 45-cm (18-in) thick hull, can cut through ice over 1 m (3.3 ft) thick at a cruising speed of 1.5 knots.
The company plans to complete the conversion in the next three months so that the vessel can be on station in the North Sea toward the end of May 2007.
Heavy lift
Keppel Verolme BV is pursuing a “first” as well. The company has secured a $184-million contract to build a floating heavy lifter to decommission offshore structures.
Keppel Verolme BV will build a floating heavy lifter to decommission offshore structures.
This innovative first-in-the-world heavy lifter of its class was awarded by MPU Offshore Lift ASA, a subsidiary of the Norwegian design and development company MPU Enterprise AS.
The semisubmersible unit is expected to be completed by early 2009.
Keppel Verolme will execute the marine outfitting works and will build the accommodation block. The company also will fabricate and carry out steelwork, and will install equipment to lift topsides and jackets. Yard facilities will be leased for construction of the concrete substructure by the ownerís appointed civil contractor, the company says.
Heerema adds newbuild
Heerema Marine Contractors is investing $1 billion for a new deepwater construction vessel.
“A new generation, deepwater construction vessel is needed to meet the demands of national and international oil companies. Market developments and needs of customers, as well as our current market position, are strong drivers behind the decision to proceed with the design of a new vessel,” says HMC’s CEO, John Reed.
Design is under way, and a competitive tender will be launched to select a shipyard for fabrication. Likely candidates are in Southeast Asia, Reed says.
The vessel will measure approximately 220 m (722 ft) by 88 m (289 ft) and will be equipped with capacity to lift at least 12,882 metric tons (14,200 tons), equivalent to the company’sThialf.
According to Heerema, the vessel will be marketed for worldwide use, including the Arctic.
Frontline converts vessel
The market for heavy-lift vessels has prompted Frontline Ltd. to get into the game. Late last year, Frontline declared an option with COSCO Shipyard, China, to convert theFront Target to a heavy-lift vessel. The conversion, scheduled to begin in May 2007 and to conclude in August 2007, will include fitting a new mid-ship section and upgrading all major vessel components. The company estimates the vessel’s operating life, once the conversion is complete, at more than 15 years.
Frontline has entered into a management contract with International Transport Contractors, the Netherlands, regarding commercial operation of its heavy-lift vessels.
Another construction vessel enters fleet
MPU Enterprise AS awarded Grenland Group an engineering contract for a new semisubmersible concrete vessel, theMPU Heavy Lifter. The vessel is a U-shaped multi-purpose buoyancy lifter for use in offshore installations. It is designed to lift by deballasting and can remove topsides from jackets or floating substructures and can install topsides onto jackets or floating substructures. The MPU Heavy Lifter also is equipped for removing and installing jackets.
The contract includes detail design and engineering and has a value of $4.7 million. The work will be performed in Grenland Group’s offices in Sandefjord.
Jurong to build jackup barge
Jurong Shipyard has received a letter of award from Saudi Aramco for the design, construction, and delivery of a self-elevating, heavy-lift jackup barge to be completed in 1Q 2010.
The jackup will be a self-elevating heavy-lift, subsea pipeline repair and maintenance support unit, designed for operations in 5-60 m (16-197 ft) water depths in the Arabian Gulf.
The jackup barge structure, machinery, and systems will be built for a life span of 30 years. Capable of continuous operations for 14 days, the jackup barge also is designed to withstand 50-year storms from any direction when elevated.
Labroy to build AHTSs
In late 3Q 2006, Labroy Shipbuilding and Engineering Pte. Ltd. secured contracts to build two 72.5-m (238-ft), 150-metric-ton (165-ton) bollard pull anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels. The units are scheduled for delivery in 2009.
These new shipbuilding contracts have raised the company’s order book to $1.2 billion, says director Tan Boy Tee, Labroy chairman and managing director.
Tan projects a strong outlook for the building of new offshore AHTS vessels globally. “Similar to oil rigs, the majority of the global offshore AHTS fleet was built during the last offshore cycle in the 1970s. Currently, more than 70% of the fleet is more than 20 years of age and this aging fleet is due for replacement,” he says.
“There is a strong direct link between the growth of AHTS vessels and that of offshore rig,” Tan says. The current boom in rig building bodes well for the prospects of AHTS vessels.
