Kongsberg to provide design services for several vessels

Kongsberg Maritime will design two multipurpose subsea construction vessels for Olympic Shipping, according to a March 14 press release.

The UT7623 SEVs (sustainable energy vessels) will be prepared for future operations on methanol and will also feature battery hybrid technology.

In addition, Kongsberg Maritime will provide an integrated package of:

Rim-drive electric azimuth propulsion, retractable azimuth bow thrusters, switchboards and thruster drives; and
Hybrid battery power, an integrated bridge system, automation and control systems, dynamic positioning system, tank sounding, mooring winches and an overhead ROV launch and recovery system (LARS).

Both ships will be built at the CMHI shipyard in Shenzhen, China, with delivery scheduled for summer 2027. They will operate in the offshore oil and gas and energy sectors.

Oil and gas service vessel designed for longer endurance

ST Engineering Marine new vessel — The new walk-to-work offshore service vessel will be built by ST Engineering Marine.

Kongsberg Maritime also will supply the design and integrated equipment package for a new walk-to-work offshore service vessel that ST Engineering Marine will construct in Singapore for an unnamed oil and gas company, according to a Feb. 28 press release.

The 97-m-long, Kongsberg Maritime UT 5520 design vessel, with accommodation for 106 people, will have a motion-compensated gangway for safe personnel transfers to and from offshore installations.

The new design builds on recent experience with the UT5519DE commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV), deployed on offshore wind projects in the North Sea.

For oil and gas operations, it will provide a greater endurance of up to nine weeks away from shore compared with the standard four weeks for typical CSOVs, Kongsberg Maritime said.

Other vessel-related news:

DOF Group awarded FPSO installation project

DOF Group has been awarded an FPSO installation project from an undisclosed client in the Atlantic region, according to a March 14 news release.

DOF will deliver project management, engineering, logistical services and offshore execution. To carry out the installation duties, DOF plans to use two of its anchor-handling tug supply vessels. The project is scheduled for execution in second-quarter 2025 in Africa.

The contract value is worth between $15 million and $25 million.

Valmet receives an automation order for cable-laying vessels

Valmet will provide a marine methanol fuel automation control system for two cable-laying vessels that will be built at the China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) shipyard for Jan De Nul, according to a Feb. 28 press release.

The contract includes the application of a methanol control system and a methanol safety system compliant with SIL2 requirements, with a total of 1000 I/O, four communication ports and remote access.

New CSOV launched by BS Offshore, Ulstein Verft

BS Offshore and Ulstein Verft have launched the first of two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) ordered by BS Offshore, according to a Feb. 25 news release.

This event followed an extensive outfitting phase that included the installation of electrical and mechanical systems, piping, accommodation and system integration.

The vessel was towed out from Ulstein Verft’s dock hall to the outer dock on Feb. 20. While stationed in the outer dock, the elevator tower and walk-to-work gangway were installed. On Feb. 23, the vessel was taken into the sea and positioned quayside, where it will remain until sea trials begin later this year.

Featuring the TWIN X-STERN design, the CSOV is equipped with advanced technology such as a 3D-compensated crane and a walk-to-work gangway, ensuring safe and efficient personnel and cargo transfer to offshore wind turbine facilities. Its diesel-electric propulsion system, combined with substantial battery energy storage, is designed to reduce its environmental footprint and prepare it for methanol as fuel, according to BS Offshore.

The vessel is scheduled to be delivered in second-quarter 2025.

BS Offshore first commissioned Ulstein Verft to build the two CSOVs of the ULSTEIN SX222 design, with options for four further vessels, in July 2023.