Polarcus orders two more seismic vessels

The two 7,420gt newbuildings will be constructed to the Ulstein SX134 design but with a higher ice class (ICE 1A super), increased propulsion and other innovative efficiency enhancing features. The 92m long, 21m wide vessels will be capable of towing up to 14 streamers with 100m lateral separation between streamers.

Polarcus has previously built several Ulstein-designed ships at various yards, all of them with the X-Bow hull line design. Both the newly ordered vessels are of the same proven design as the shipowner’s existing Polarcus Asima and Polarcus Alima vessels recently build at Drydocks World – Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Polarcus has been able to take maximum advantage of the current availability of yard slots to execute shipbuilding contracts on highly favourable payment terms and to secure beneficial delivery times. By building these vessels in Norway, the company has been able to avail itself of significant and advantageous financing from the Norwegian Institution for Export Financing, Eksportfinans ASA.

The two newbuilds will receive their ICE-1A* class notation from DNV which allows these vessels to operate in Arctic waters under harsh ice conditions without the assistance of icebreakers.

The entire vessel is ice-reinforced with thicker ribs and skin plates and is fitted with de-icing and ice-preventing systems at critical tanks and pipelines. Propellers, gears and thrusters are chosen and dimensioned based on specific rules for withstanding operation in ice. The 12,760 ekW diesel electric propulsion plant comprising six Wartsila gensets (4 x 9L20 and 2 x 9L26) will power the two shaft-line propellers a retractable azimuthing thruster forward to provide a service speed of 15 knots and a 125 tonne bollard pull.

In addition, the ship has the DNV notation ‘winterised basic’. Escape corridors and rescue equipment are also protected against icing during Arctic operations and the vessels will have two workboats and an MOB on board.

The two vessels will be equipped for 3D seismic, and will get three additional lead-in winches on deck and two extra towing points adding up to 14 towing points in all.