Keppel to build Romanian multi-purpose vessel

Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited?s (Keppel O&M) has secured a S$181 million ($131million) contract to build a multi-purpose heavylift / pipelay vessel for Romanian drilling contractor, Grup Servicii Petroliere SA (GSP).

To be classed by the ABS, this vessel will be designed and built to meet international environmental standards. The vessel will be certified with the new Environmental Safety notation, which provides stringent guidelines on preventing pollution, minimising the discharge of harmful substances and emissions, and the treatment of sewage, among others.

Well-suited for unrestricted service worldwide, GSP?s new vessel is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2011, and will be deployed to the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions. With accommodation for up to 290 persons, the heavylift / pipelay vessel will be equipped with three offshore cranes, the largest of which has a lifting capacity of 1,800 tonnes, and it will be fitted with a 10-point mooring anchor system.

The propulsion systems onboard will include three units of Voith Schneider propellers for main propulsion, five retractable azimuth thrusters for positioning, and a Class 3 certified dynamic positioning system. Some of the equipment will be supplied by the owner.

Keppel Singmarine is presently constructing two other pipelay vessels for a US customer, Global Industries.