Crewboats dominate this latest string of offshore vessel deliveries and orders. These small yet versatile vessels will be allotted for operations in Western Europe, Africa, and North America. Interestingly, a number of this week's featured vessels also possess hybrid propulsion.
Briggs Marine acquires first crewboat
Scottish operator Briggs Marine has taken delivery of a new fast crewboat, the Damen-built Forth Engineer.
The newbuild is Briggs' first crewboat and the fortieth vessel overall to join its currenty wholly-owned fleet.
The catamaran vessel was built for operations in the North Sea. It can transport 12 passengers/technicians as well as equipment and light cargo at speeds of over 24 knots.
New shallow-draught workboat delivered to Acta Marine
A new hybrid-powered, shallow-draught workboat has been handed over to Netherlands-based offshore services company Acta Marine.
The 37- by 11-metre Coastal Crown is powered by batteries and two Caterpillar C32 IMO Tier III-compliant diesel engines. Acta Marine said it is the first vessel in its fleet to feature both IMO Tier III-compliant engines and battery power.
The vessel has a DP2 system, bollard pull of 30 tonnes, two hydraulic deck cranes, an operating draught of 1.9 metres, and accommodation for up to 19 personnel.
Compact offshore workboat to support Tullow Ghana's activities
Singapore-based Strategic Marine has handed over a 12-metre workboat to Tullow Ghana.
The vessel was designed primarily for work at deepwater oil projects in the Gulf of Guinea. It is capable of operating as a crewboat, a line handling boat, and a daughter craft for larger OSVs.
The workboat can transport up to 10 technicians at a maximum speed of 25 knots.
North Star Renewables taps UK builder for hybrid-powered daughter craft fleet
Great Yarmouth-based marine and engineering specialist Alicat has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract with North Star Renewables for the construction of a fleet of hybrid-powered daughter craft.
Once completed, the vessels will be operated at the Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm 130 kilometres off England's North East coast.
The vessels will each be equipped with diesel- and electric-powered outboards.
Designed by Southampton-based naval architects Chartwell Marine in collaboration with North Star, the daughter craft will be used to safely transfer technicians from their accommodation onboard North Star's service operation vessels (SOVs) to work on the offshore wind turbines at Dogger Bank A and B.
Mayflower Wind orders hybrid crewboat
Massachusetts-based offshore wind developer Mayflower Wind has selected Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding for the construction of a new hybrid diesel-electric crewboat.
The vessel will be designed by UK naval architects BAR Technologies in compliance to both Jones Act and ABS class requirements.
Design work on the vessel will begin in the 2022-2023 timeframe while actual construction will commence by the middle of the decade.
First steel cut for FSO conversion on Aframax tanker for Perenco
Drydocks World Dubai, a company under port operator DP World, has begun work converting an Aframax tanker capable of carrying 700,000 barrels of oil into a floating storage and offloading unit (FSO).
The extensive modification and life extension work will include the provision of a new hull coating designed to help ensure an uninterrupted service life of 20 years. Other works include fabrication and installation of an external turret for weather waning, helideck fabrication and integration, metering skid installation and modification to the cargo system, and installation of a hose reel and crane.
The works are being carried out on behalf of Perenco Petroleo e Gas do Brasil.