MAN-powered AHTS pair enter service in Middle East

Topaz Energy and Marine of Dubai, a subsidiary of Oman-based Renaissance Services, provides offshore support vessels and engineering services, and has built two Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) ships.

The two 67m, 80t bollard pull, vessels are ready to undertake AHTS services and the transportation of dry and liquid cargo to and from pipe-laying barges, drilling platforms and production platforms for offshore operations. The Topaz Dignity will operate on behalf of BP, the oil and gas major, on a long-term-contract basis in the Caspian Sea – whilst Topaz Triumph is likely to remain in the Middle East with Topaz Marine. The ships are equipped to Fi-Fi Class I and DP2 specifications.

The twin-screw propulsion package for each vessel consists of eight-cylinder, medium-speed MAN L27/38 engines of 2,720kW each, horizontal offset reduction gearboxes with a CPP servo oil distribution unit, and a 1,500kW shaft alternator PTO. The gearboxes drive 18m intermediate shafts and 13m propeller tailshafts in oil-lubricated stern tubes. The ducted CP propellers, from MAN Alpha, are of 2,800mm diameter and turn at 198rpm at MCR. Alpha high thrust nozzles are integrated into the hull, with a length/diameter ratio of 0.6. The package is completed by Alphatronic 2000 propulsion control systems, configured with twin control stations on main bridge, aft bridge and in the engine control room, interfaced with the joystick and DP systems.