Ulstein wins X-Bow contracts

The first orders have been placed for platform supply vessels (PSVs) with Ulstein?s X-Bow design which was launched in April. Bourbon Offshore Norway has contracted for the construction of two Ulstein PX105s; earlier this year the owner ordered the first anchor handling vessel with this type of bow, an AX104.

According to Bourbon Offshore Norway?s managing director, Trond Myklebust, “When we signed the contract for the anchor handling vessel in April, it was because we had great faith in the new hull shape. The extremely good results from the model tests for the anchor handling vessel convinced us that the X-Bow is the way ahead for offshore vessels. We think there is even more to be gained from a PSV with this new bow as these vessels are continuously in traffic. They work in a shuttle system between land and the platforms and have to be reliable also in bad weather. The seaworthiness with the X-Bow is so good that a vessel could be in operation even when the weather means other vessels have to stay in port. Fuel consumption is also reduced

Ulstein Verft?s sales manager, Harald M?ller, confirms this. “Low angles of entry, no bulb, a converted bow and a hull that is drawn right up to the wheel house mean that there is no slamming or spray on deck.” he says.

The two Ulstein PX105s, which will be 88.8m long overall with a deadweight of 4,750 tonnes, will be delivered in October 2006 and February 2007. With these two new contracts, Bourbon Offshore Norway has now ordered six vessels from Ulstein Verft worth a total of around NOK 1.5 billion (US$227 million) in less than 10 months.