Farstad?s double P series newbuildings take shape

The Norwegian offshore operator Farstad Shipping earlier this year entered into a contract for two newbuildings from the

Ulstein

stable of designs. This consisted of one unit each of the newly developed

Ulstein

P105

and

P106

series of offshore platform supply vessels ordered from

Ulstein

Verft. Both newbuildings are scheduled for delivery in December 2003.

Developed by

Ulstein

Design AS, the new designs form part of the

Ulstein

P-series which are sold as having large load capacity, good sea keeping abilities, low levels of noise

and

fuel consumption

and

a design for operations in harsh weather conditions. They are built using a modular design, i.e. pre-engineered modules .

All

Ulstein

vessels are designed to comply with the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) Class notations of “CLEAN”

and

“COMFORT”

and

the

P105

and

P106

are no exception.

P105

Ulstein

P105

is a multifunctional platform supply vessel designed to meet the future dem

and

s of the offshore industry. The basic design is supplied with a diesel-electric propulsion system,

and

equipped with frequency converters on all thrusters in order to minimise fuel consumption during dynamic positioning, st

and

by

and

manoeuvring operations. This also leads to lower noise

and

vibration levels. A roll-reduction passive stabilising system is incorporated,

and

the vessel can be fitted with a variety of deck equipment for different applications. The accommodation block has a capacity for 24 crewmembers.

Steel production was completed at

Ulstein

Verft in Vanylven

and

assembly has begun at the main yard in

Ulstein

vik. The 86.2m long, 19m wide ship can also be delivered with a conventional propulsion system.

Maximum speed is approximately 15.5 knots

and

a service speed of 14.5 knots

and

the vessel will have an AUTR IMO Class II dynamic positioning capability.

With deadweight of 4,750 tonnes, the vessel will be able to carry about 2,700 tonnes of cargo on the 960m2 cargo deck. Special equipment will be fitted consisting of one electro-hydraulic deck crane with knuckle boom installed in a central position, one elecro-hydraulic folding type deck crane on port side,

and

two tugger winches.

P106

The

Ulstein

P106

is a medium sized supply vessel designed to meet the future dem

and

s of the offshore industry. The basic design is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system as ordered by Farstad but the design can also be built with a diesel-mechanical propulsion system. The vessel will be 74.30m long, 16m wide

and

will have a maximum speed of approximately 15 knots. The shape of the bulbous bow results in fuel savings at a wide range of draughts

and

a roll-reduction passive stabilising system is incorporated.

The vessel has a class I dynamic positioning system.

Deadweight at maximum draught is approximately 3,400 tonnes,

and

the load capacity on the 700m2 deck is approximately 1,600 tonnes. Accommodation is typically arranged for 24 persons. The contract is worth approximately $21.6 million for

Ulstein

Verft

and

includes an option to build a similar vessel. Noise reduction will be a key element for crewmembers.

Special equipment will comprise two electro-hydraulic deck cranes

and

two hydraulic or electrical tugger winches.

When delivered at the end of December 2003, the vessel will immediately start on a five year charter contract for Peterson Suppylink B.V in Holl

and

which is the supplier for seven offshore operators in the Netherl

and

s. Including this vessel (

P106

),

Ulstein

Verft has delivered 17 vessels to Farstad between 1975-2003. At present, Farstad Shipping has a fleet of 44 vessels in operation

and

eight vessels on order from various shipyards. Five are currently under construction in Norway, with another three being built in Brazil for long-term charters with oil giant Petrobras.