Romania orders unique offshore vessel

Romanian contractor GSP Drilling has signed a contract with Keppel Singmarine for the construction of the DP3 multipurpose vessel ?GSP Titan?. The new vessel will be unique in the world as it efficiently and economically combines three offshore operating capabilities into one vessel design: pipelay, heavy lift and tender assist drilling operations. The unit has been designed by Dutch design office Ulstein Sea of Solutions and is scheduled for delivery in August 2011.

Currently no similar types of vessels in the market are able to perform both construction works and deepwater tender assist drilling operations. Besides this unique combination of operational modes, ?GSP Titan? features other innovative aspects as well. It will be the first large pipelay/heavy lift vessel in the world that will be propelled by three stern-mounted Voith Schneider Propellers which will also be used for roll damping. The customised 1,800 tonne heavy lift mast crane has been lowered and integrated in the starboard aft side enabling the vessel to pass Istanbul Strait underneath the Bosphorus bridge to enter the Black Sea.