Subsea order for Ulstein Verft

The contract includes an option for a second ship. The DP3-classed subsea construction vessel will be 130m long and 25m wide with a speed of 14.5 knots. The ship will have diesel electric propulsion and three main azimuthing thrusters. She will be equipped with a large active heave compensated offshore crane with 250 ton capacity at 14m outreach and with the winch placed below deck. The crane will mainly be used for lifting and lowering heavy equipment from and to the sea bottom.

The vessel will carry two ROVs; one is to be launched from the starboard side and the other through a moonpool. There will be a large cargo deck for construction work. The vessel can accommodate 130 persons and will be constructed in accordance with the latest international environmental regulations.

The vessel will be prepared for a VLS tower (vertical lay system) and a 2,500 ton rotating carousel below deck, to be used for future pipe laying operations. For that reason, the vessel is equipped with two moonpools, one for the future VLS and one for launching the ROV.

“GC Rieber Shipping is a solid and experienced shipowner, and we are pleased that they have chosen Ulstein for this project. Subsea is one of our focus areas, and we will deliver a state-of-the-art offshore construction vessel (OCV) that will serve the shipowner well in the years to come,” states Gunvor Ulstein, CEO in Ulstein Group.

“We are very happy to award this contract to a Norwegian shipyard,’ says CEO of GC Rieber Shipping, Irene W. Basili, and continues: “Norway is world-leading when it comes to design and quality of specialised offshore vessels. GC Rieber Shipping is deliberate in its efforts in the most demanding areas of the offshore market, and I am confident that we will get a top class vessel from Ulstein.”

Managing director in Ulstein Verft, Karsten Sævik, is pleased with the contract: “Ulstein has built for GC Rieber Shipping before, and we are happy that they have chosen Ulstein again,” he states. “Our organisation has broad expertise in developing this type of vessel together with customers, so this project suits us perfectly. We are looking forward to cooperating with GC Rieber Shipping and to deliver a high quality ship according to contract.”