Next Geosolutions Europe (NextGeo) and Norwegian shipyard Green Yard Kleven have a collaboration agreement to convert the NG EXPLORER for high-spec seabed surveys in the offshore energy sector globally.
NG EXPLORER is 58 m long and 14 m wide, with a draft of 4.5 m, suitable for shallow-water environments. It was first constructed in 2010 as an offshore vessel but more recently used in aquaculture.
Green Yard Kleven will rebuild it to undertake geophysical, geotechnical, environmental and UXO seabed investigations.
The vessel will have a new accommodation module to increase onboard personnel capacity, along with meeting rooms, a control room and offices.
It will also be equipped with a launch and recovery system (LARS) for ROVs, with an A-frame and other deck equipment at the stern. In addition, the entire ship will be upgraded to operate in high-temperature waters.
All equipment and materials removed from the vessel will either be reused in the conversion, repurposed for other projects at the yard or sold.
Green Yard’s full turn-key project responsibilities include design and engineering, supported by Nelton Design, and the yard will also coordinate the re-classing process.
The completed vessel should be delivered to NextGeo by the end of this year.
