Subsea 7 orders pipe laying/offshore construction vessel

IHC Holland Merwede?s subsidiary Merwede Shipyard has received a contract for the design and construction of a new Pipe Laying/Offshore Construction vessel from Subsea 7 at a cost of $170-200 million depending on options exercised. The newbuilding wilhave a length of 151 metres, a width of 28.40 metres and a deadweight of 13,699 tonnes.

Merwede Shipyard secured repeat order because of the good relationship it has with Subsea-7 on an earlier order received last year for a Rigid Reeled Pipe Layer, as well as for its ability to design and offer a fixed price for the vessel fully complying with the owner?s requirements including the integration of the complete pipe laying spread and cranes within the required short delivery time. Delivery of the vessel will take place in the second quarter of 2008. The pipe laying equipment will be designed and built by Huisman Itrec.