Solstad orders large sub-sea construction vessel

The Vard 3 19 ship, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, will be built on a hull constructed at the Tulcea yard in Romania, and outfitted at Vard Brattvaag in Norway. Delivery is scheduled for mid-2016.

The new ship, at about 180m long and 33m beam, will be the largest in the Solstad fleet as well as the largest ever constructed by Vard, and will feature a 550t top tension vertical lay system, enabling the installation of large diameter flexible pipes in ultra-deep water and in harsh environments. Other equipment will include a 600t active heave compensated offshore crane and a 4,000t under-deck carousel for storage of flexible pipes, cables and umbilicals. Deck area will be more than 2,500m².