FSO and more LNG work for Sembawang

The first contract, from Angolan state owned company Sonangol Pesquisa e Produção (SNLPP) is for the repair and upgrading of FSO Palanca. The order includes renewal of the cargo piping system and pumps, tank blasting and coating, and cable renewal for the entire electrical system of the 20-year-old FSO. The existing 30-person accommodation block will be redesigned and rebuilt to accommodate 60 men. The new accommodation block will include a helideck to meet operational requirements. The vessel is expected to enter Sembawang Shipyard in August 2012 and, upon completion, will return to Palanca Terminal in offshore Angola.

The two LNG carrier life extension projects come from one of the yard’s regular clients, North West Shelf Shipping Service Company of Australia (NWSSSC), which provides shipping services to International Gas Transportation Company. The 20-year-old LNG vessels Northwest Seaeagle and Northwest Sandpiper are scheduled to enter Sembawang Shipyard in June and September 2012 respectively for major repairs and upgrading which, when completed, will further extend the vessels’ trading lives for another 10 years or more. This follows a similar programme of work on Northwest Sanderling in 2009, Northwest Snipe in 2010 and Northwest Shearwater in 2011.