Offshore Heavy Transport has signed a contract with China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) for the construction of a 48,000DWT semi-submersible offshore windfarm foundation installation vessel, with options to extend the program with up to three vessels.
The first vessel will be ready for project deployment from early 2021.
The design has been developed by Ulstein Design and Solutions, Liebherr and DNV GL. The vessel will fly the flag of the Norwegian International Ship Register.
The new additions to the existing fleet of five semi-submersible heavy transportation vessels will enable the company to take on full transport and installation scope for foundations for offshore windfarms.
The vessel combines cargo carrying capacity with a 3,000-tonne crane and the ability to submerge offshore.
The vessel will have a total length of 216.3 metres and a breadth of 56 metres.