Arctech new build for Sovcomflot

The new 100m vessel, which is designed for extreme environmental conditions, will be built for the North East Sakhalin Offshore region oil and gas field where it will be used as a platform supply vessel for Sakhalin Energy Investment Company Ltd (SEIC).

“This order is an excellent continuation for the series of icebreaking multipurpose vessels that Arctech has built in past few years. With this order Arctech confirms its position as leading builder of arctic offshore vessels”, said Esko Mustamäki, managing director, Arctech Helsinki Shipyard.

The vessel’s main duty will be to supply between land bases and the offshore drilling and platform sites, as well as safely convey and transfer cargo on deck and bulk cargo underdeck in all seasons.

Arctech says its design brings together the last innovations in arctic shipbuilding science and technology and is a further developed version of the two multifunctional icebreaking supply vessels Vitus Bering and Aleksey Chirikov delivered to Sovcomflot in 2012 and 2013.

The six main diesel generator sets have the total power of around 20,000 kW and the propulsion power of 13,000 kW.

It will operate in thick ice for ice management and icebreaking duties in temperatures as cold as minus 35 degrees. The vessel is able to manoeuvre independently in 1.5m thick ice and will be equipped for emergency evacuation, rescue and firefighting operations, oil spill response and platform overboard working and helicopter operations. It can also act as a diving support vessel.

Arctech and Sovcomflot have also signed a number of memorandums of understanding for the construction and operation of three additional multifunctional icebreaking standby vessels.

Construction will begin imminently, with delivery scheduled for June 2016.