New IHC Merwede ‘Packhorse’

The new range includes the IHC Packhorse, a platform support vessel (PSV); and the IHC Packhorse-Maxi, which is a variant on the basic hull form, providing 59 person accommodation and a range of options designed for subsea support on IRM work, light construction and cable-laying projects.

The new IHC Packhorse range will be built initially through the established cooperation agreement established between IHC Merwede and Jaya Holdings.

Venkatraman Sheshashayee, chief executive officer, said: “We welcome the launch of the IHC Packhorse as another key step forward in our ongoing cooperation with IHC Merwede. This is an exciting development in the market to offer vessels built with European quality at Asian prices.”

The IHC Packhorse’s main features are a large working deck, a fuel-efficient hull form, optimised power distribution and a flexible tank configuration.

The same platform is used for the IHC Packhorse-Maxi, which has dual-stability books for operation as a non-SPS PSV at deeper draught. It has also been designed for the easy retrofitting of a heli-deck and is pre-strengthened to accommodate a 100 tonne heave compensated crane. Portable dive systems and cable-lay solutions are available from IHC Hytech and IHC Engineering Business.

Both utilise a low-cost highly efficient solution for the power distribution system developed by IHC Drives & Automation.