A new LNG-fueled offshore guard vessel has been delivered to a Chinese oil and gas support company while two new crewboats will enter service with a UK operator. Orders have meanwhile been placed for two methanol-fueled maintenance vessels for Dutch service and 20 drone-carrying vessels slated for a US subsea technology specialist.
LNG-fueled guard vessel delivered to China Oilfield Services
The Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, an affiliate of China Shipbuilding Industry Company (CSIC), has handed over a new offshore guard and standby/supply vessel to China Oilfield Services (COSL).
The 65-metre Haiyang Shiyou 543 ("Offshore Oil 543") is the fourth in a planned series of eight LNG-fueled guard vessels ordered by COSL. Its main duties will include guard support for offshore oil and gas survey and exploration activities and standby, rescue, and supply support for offshore platforms and other vessels.
LNG will be used as the main fuel for Haiyang Shiyou 543's dual-fuel engines. Diesel will serve as the backup fuel in the event that LNG is unavailable.
Manor Renewable Energy welcomes crewboat pair to fleet
Strategic Marine of Singapore has delivered two new crewboats in a series to UK operator Manor Renewable Energy (MRE).
Each crewboat measures 26.7 by 8.9 metres and has a cargo deck area of 81.7 square metres and a speed of 24 knots.
Both vessels are scheduled to begin operational sailings in the summer of 2022.
Acta Marine orders two methanol-fueled CSOVs
Netherlands-based Acta Marine has placed an order for two construction service operation vessels (CSOVs).
The 89-metre vessels will each have capacity for 135 personnel and will be delivered with dual-fuel methanol/diesel power generators. The unique hull design includes two sterns and four main propeller units, with two at each end.
The contract also includes options for two additional vessels from the same series.
UK builder to supply drone launch vessels to US-based Nauticus Robotics
UK-based Diverse Marine has entered into an agreement for the supply of 20 new drone-carrying vessels to Nauticus Robotics of Houston, Texas.
The 18-metre, all-aluminium vessels' primary objective is to support the launch, recovery, and real-time operations of Nauticus' undersea robots. The larger vessels, which will also be capable of autonomous operations, will ferry the smaller unmanned craft to and from worksites and will also support battery recharging.
Each vessel will be powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS1050 engines that will deliver a speed of 18 knots. A launch and recovery system (LARS) from Kongsberg Maritime and MLC-compliant berthing and mess areas – for use by crews during optionally-manned missions – will also be incorporated.
Production and delivery of the first two vessels is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023. The remainder will be handed over to Nauticus by the end of 2024.
North Star orders additional daughter craft from Great Yarmouth builder
Aberdeen-based North Star Shipping has awarded a £2 million (US$2.45 million) contract to Great Yarmouth firm Alicat Workboats for the construction of two new Chartwell Marine-designed daughter craft.
The vessels will be added to North Star's renewables support fleet, which is bound for the Dogger Bank wind farm off the North East coast of England from next year.