“World’s largest” liftboat ordered

The Levingston 415WC will be ABS classed, and built by PaxOcean at its Zhoushan shipyard in China. It will feature an open deck area of 1,700m², net deck load capacity of 1,500 tonnes, with accommodation for 100 personnel including navigation crew. The vessel follows in the footsteps of the Levingston 320E, claimed to be currently the world’s largest liftboat. The letter of intent includes an option for an additional similar vessel; the contact value was not disclosed.

Levingston has delivered three of a six-vessel contract based on the 320E design with the remaining deliveries scheduled to be completed June 2012. The 415WC vessel will have a fast, high capacity Levingston-EBI 12-tooth pinion jacking system along with the Levingston-RAM Leg Encircling Crane with 300 tonne capacity. This vessel will be designed to work in harsh environments and with this design the accommodation may be increased to meet additional customer’s needs.

The 415WC can be provided with, if required, the option of a modular workover/drilling facility (mounted on a cantilever structure) to support offshore workover operations. The cantilever is hydraulically skidded out of the bow of the vessel. When the vessel is not required to be in workover operation mode, the cantilever structure can be removed to onshore storage.

According to Ken Serigne, CEO of EBI: “We are pleased to jointly announce the start of the new generation of liftboats. Through our long-term relationship with Levingston, we have developed the new industry standard in world-class liftboat design. In combination with Levingston and using EBI’s proven jacking system, this will bring a new level of versatility for the offshore industry. Using our jacking system, the Levingston 415WC will simply be the fastest, high capacity liftboat in the world. It is greatly gratifying to see this accomplishment.”

Ronald Sanders, CEO and chairman of Levingston, stated, “it is a great day to announce the start of a new era for the American inspired liftboat industry and more specifically the Louisiana inspired liftboat industry. It gives me a great sense of pride to see this evolutionary and revolutionary liftboat industry well accepted in the world offshore industry. Along with our alliance partners, we will continue to be the world leader in liftboat technologies. We are extremely pleased to be working with PaxOcean to build the Levingston 415WC.”

In addition to EBI and Ram Crane, the Levingston Corporation has co-operated with GL Noble Denton, Jackup Structures Alliance and Alabama Roll Products.