Fairmount Marine’s multipurpose vessel Fairmount Fuji has assisted Italian contractor Saipem with her operations offshore Congo. Fairmount Fuji has performed several cargo runs between Siapem’s Boscongo yard in Pointe Noire and the offshore Congo moored drilling ship Siapem 1000.

Fairmount Fuji also took care of the transport of Saipem crew.

Drilling ship Saipem 1000, a 5th generation drilling ship for ultra deepwater operations, was moored offshore Congo pending her next assignment. Fairmount Marine was contracted to assist in the crew change and in the transfer of cargo. Fairmount Fuji transported around 150 personnel to and from the ship.

Fairmount Fuji is equipped with a spacious 280 square meters deck.This makes her ideal for the transport of goods.

Fairmount Marine is a marine contractor for ocean towage and heavy lift transportation, headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Fairmount’s fleet of tugs consists of five modern super tugsof 205 tons bollard pull each, especially designed for long distance towing, a multipurpose support vessel and a large submersible transport barge. Fairmount Marine is part of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs Group.

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order worth around $25 million to supply its marine propulsion system, Azipod, and complete electric power plants for two new rescue and salvage icebreakers that are under construction at Nordic Yards GmbH in Germany.

The new vessels, owned by Russia’s State Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (SMRCC), will be used for patrols and rescue operations in offshore oil-and-gas fields. They will be fitted with equipment for search and rescue tasks and oil-spill response. The vessels are designed for Arctic conditions and will receive Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS) Icebreaker 6 class notations to perform rescue operations in waters covered by ice of up to one meter thick.

“Since ABB’s first delivery of Azipod technology for ice breakers in the 1990s, 60 units have been delivered for more than 30 ice-going vessels,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB's Process Automation division. “On average, two out of three high ice-class vessels built today are fitted with ABB systems. This order sustains our reputation as a long-term and reliable partner in the Russian market.”

ABB’s scope of supply will include 3.5 megawatt (MW) Azipod VI units, main switchboards, drives, bow thrusters and generators. Total power per vessel will be 7 MW. ABB has made a significant investment in Russia to support the country’s fast-growing offshore oil-and-gas activities in the Arctic. The company has 27 offices in Russia and five production sites, overseen by the head office in Moscow. ABB has also reinforced its presence in Russia by establishing dedicated marine centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg, backed by specialized marine service teams in Murmansk and Sakhalin.

In February Hydrex diver/technician teams carried out underwater stern tube seal repairs on a 139-meter container vessel in Port Everglades, Florida, close to the company’s  office in Clearwater. The vessel was suffering from an oil leak, making a fast repair necessary. Using one of the company’s next generation flexible mobdocks the team was able to carry out the entire operation on-site and underwater, saving time and money for the owners.

Hydrex constantly invests in the research necessary to continue to evolve repair techniques and procedures. Over the years the Hydrex R&D department has constantly improved the flexible mobdock (mobile mini drydock) technique to make it possible for Hydrex diver/technicians to perform permanent repairs on seals, thrusters and almost any other part of the underwater vessel without the vessel needing to go to drydock.

The latest generation of flexible mobdocks allows Hydrex to carry out the replacement of virtually any type of stern tube seals very quickly on-site.

These flexible mobdocks are stored at the fast response centers. Designed specifically to increase speed of service, these centers are equipped with all the latest facilities, lightweight equipment and tools. This allowed us to mobilize a team together with all the needed equipment to the container vessel’s location within the shortest possible time frame.

After the diving team had set up a monitoring station, the operation started with a thorough underwater inspection of the stern tube seal assembly. The divers then removed the rope guard of the vessel as well as the fishing lines tangled around the liner that had caused the oil leak.

Next the team installed the flexible mobdock around the stern tube seal assembly creating a dry underwater environment for the divers to work in drydock-like conditions, a necessity for permanent stern tube seal repairs. After cleaning the entire assembly, the divers disconnected the split ring and brought it to the surface. Next the team removed the three damaged seals one by one and replaced them with new ones. Because the existing running area was completely worn down, the diver/technicians also installed a spacer ring to create a new running area for the seals.

The operation ended with the conducting of a pressure test with positive results, the removal of the flexible mobdock and the reinstallation of the rope guard.

By creating a dry environment underwater, the divers were able to rapidly complete the required work on-site. The teams worked in shifts to perform the stern tube seal repairs within the shortest possible time frame. The in-situ repair saved the owner the time and money which going to drydock would have entailed.

Hamburg: “Making technology-based decisions is complex for each individual company, as is finding the right way into the future. We fully support the overall political will and dedication to reduce harmful emissions from ship operations.”

Said Jörg Langkabel, DNV Country Manager, on the occasion of the visit of the German Minister of Transport, Peter Ramsauer, to Caterpillar’s factory in Rostock.

DNV is helping the industry in Germany to introduce LNG as an economic and safe alternative fuel for ships. The new environmentally friendly dual-fuel Caterpillar M 46 engine is fully capable of running on LNG and meets all the Tier III requirements in gas mode.

At the event, the presented possibility of converting a large number of ships with Caterpillar engines to LNG showed that this technology is now leaving the market niche and spreading out into the industry. As the most experienced class and service provider, DNV is playing an important role in supporting this development.

Mr Ramsauer made reference to Germany’s fuel strategy for the transportation industry, including shipping. He explained that the German government is ready to support pilot projects like retrofitting new engine solutions on ships.

Caterpillar pointed out that 450 ships are now using the M43C-type engine, which can be converted to an LNG-fuelled M 46 DF engine. The majority of these engines are installed on ships with German owners. About 190 of these ships are less than six years old and therefore in principle suitable for conversion to LNG. Most of the ships are container feeders of similar design. There is thus the potential for a standardised, cost-effective retrofit of a large number of ships.

“The transport industry can play a leading role by changing fuel. With our mobility and fuel strategy, we have introduced a way forward for a change with a long-term horizon, making this suitable for continuous planning and implementation,” said Mr Ramsauer. He demonstrated the government’s willingness to implement changes, stating that the MS Atair ship – which belongs to the German Authority for Shipping and Hydrographics - will be replaced by a new LNG-fuelled ship in 2015.

“DNV is convinced that LNG is an environmentally friendly fuel and the best available option to reduce emissions. We can offer many services relating to ship-specific solutions as well as advice on infrastructure needs and investments by ports and authorities. DNV’s tool for assessment and guidance on using LNG as fuel is the LNG Ready service, where the technical solutions are examined and alternatives compared on an OPEX and CAPEX basis, enabling customers to make a strategic decision,” said Mr Langkabel.

He added that DNV has a long and proven track record on LNG since the 1960s, when DNV was instrumental in the development of the Moss-design round transport tanks for LNG, a design still in use. DNV classed Norway’s first LNG-fuelled ferry, which has been operational since 2000, and classes more than 90 per cent of all LNG-fuelled ships. The newest is the Stavangerfjord cruise ferry belonging to the Norwegian owner Fjordline. This ship is 170 metres long and can carry 1,500 passengers and 600 cars. It will serve the busy ferry connections between Norway and Denmark.

A new three year European Research Project, partly funded by the EU has been launched to help increase efficiencies in regulation compliance and enforcement for the maritime sector.  e-Compliance will facilitate tighter integration and co-operation in the fragmented field of regulatory compliance. It will closely align with the EU e-Maritime initiative of which a key priority is supporting authorities and shipping operators to collaborate electronically in regulatory information management. 

The maritime sector is, by necessity, heavily regulated. International, EU and national authorities create large numbers of rules and regulations; the long lifetime of ships and the different phases of their operation add to the complexity. As a result, practitioners who need to enforce or comply with regulations are often unsure as to which rules apply for a given vessel in a given situation.

Building on the success of other EU projects such as FLAGSHIP, e-Compliance will look at creating a model for managing maritime regulations digitally and thus help to harmonise these regulations. The project’s consortium comprises representatives of the three main stakeholder groups involved: classification societies (who create class rules), port state control (who enforce regulations) and ships (who need to comply with regulations). This seamless co-operation between the different stakeholder groups will improve the effectiveness of regulations and reduce the burden on practitioners who work with maritime regulations on a daily basis. 

Image: Current Regulation Complexity

Philipp Lohrmann, Project Manager for e-Compliance comments: “Presently, there are numerous disparate initiatives and projects that address specific aspects of the regulatory domain. The e-Compliance project will bring these different approaches together, using their most promising aspects in order to increase coherence and efficiency in the world of maritime regulations.”

Specific activities within this three year R&D project will include:

Establishment of a cooperation model between regulation setting and enforcement authorities, both for port state control and IMO regulations, for modelling and interpreting regulations and ensuring harmonisation across national and organisational boundaries.

Demonstration of automated compliance management by:

Modelling and delivery of regulations in electronic format

Harmonised e-Services for more effective and co-ordinated enforcement controls and inspections

e-Services in support of class requirements, particularly on surveys and for ship risk management in upgraded e-Maritime applications

Evaluation of the practical implementation of the above in representative networks and the provision of recommendations for e-Maritime policies.

e-Compliance consists of 10 partners, all of which bring their own areas of knowledge and experience of working in the maritime space.  They include: BMT Group Ltd, Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Danaos Shipping Co Ltd, INLECOM Systems, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), TEMIS, Acciona Infraestructuras, PORTIC Barcelona, Norsk Marinteknisk Forskningsinstitutt AS (MARINTEK) and the Maritime Administration of Latvia.

Unique System FZE, a Unique Maritime Group company and one of the world’s leading integrated turnkey subsea and offshore solution providers, has been contracted by ADNATCO-NGSCO to deliver ship performance monitoring solutions that will help to optimize vessel performance and subsequently aim to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The entire project will be carried out by Unique System FZE, acting as agents for the Iceland based energy management company Marorka ehf. Commissioning and technical support will be provided by Unique Marorka Support Services which is a joint venture set up by Marorka ehf and Unique System FZE.

National Gas Shipping Company (NGSCO), an ADNOC Group Company, was formed in December 1993 to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) on behalf of Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company (ADGAS). In 2009, the company’s supporting services were merged with ADNATCO under a single management umbrella. The merger boosted both companies’ positions and created a pool of versatile and experienced manpower in the lead up to the expansion stage under the auspices of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

Marorka is a leading provider of energy management solutions for the international shipping industry. Marorka products and services enable vessel operators to optimize fuel consumption by maximizing the energy efficiency of their vessel or fleet. The results are minimized harmful emissions and reduced costs.

The project’s objective is to implement energy management systems for ADNATCO-NGSCO’s entire fleet. The first stage of the project includes the installation of ship performance monitoring systems on board ADNATCO’s six vessels: two LNG vessels, two bulk carriers and two oil tankers. The principal objective will be to improve the vessel’s performance and to eliminate environmental concerns such as excessive fuel consumption and carbon emission in the long term. Marorka’s Onboard Energy Management System and Marorka Online, a fleet reporting tool, have been selected for this purpose. The system gathers data from the required instrumentation points and presents the overall efficiency of the vessel in a user-friendly interface. The main advantage of this system is its ability to provide real-time information from each vessel in fleet, thereby facilitating informed decisions related to energy efficiency.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. has delivered the CHARLES DAVID JR, the seventh Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to the United States Coast Guard.

The announcement was made by Bollinger executive vice president of new construction, Chris Bollinger, "We are very pleased to announce another successful on-time and on-budget FRC delivery to the Coast Guard. The CHARLES DAVID JR was delivered to the 7th Coast Guard District in Key West, FL, and will be stationed at USCG Sector Key West. We are all looking forward to the vessel’s upcoming commissioning, as well as honoring and celebrating the heroic acts of Charles David, Jr."

The 154 foot patrol craft CHARLES DAVID JR is the seventh vessel in the Coast Guard's Sentinel-class FRC program. To build the FRC, Bollinger Shipyards used a proven, in-service parent craft design based on the Damen Stan Patrol Boat 4708. It has a flank speed of 28 knots, state of the art command, control, communications and computer technology, and a stern launch system for the vessels 26 foot cutter boat. The FRC has been described as an operational "game changer,” by senior Coast Guard officials.

The Coast Guard took delivery August 16, 2013 in Key West, Florida and is scheduled to commission the vessel in Key West, Florida in November, 2013.

Each FRC is named for an enlisted Coast Guard hero who distinguished him or herself in the line of duty. This vessel is named after Coast Guard Hero, Stewards-Mate First Class Charles W. David, Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery. On the night of February 3, 1943, the U.S. Army transport USS DORCHESTER was torpedoed by a U-Boat off the coast of Greenland in the North Atlantic. The CGC COMANCHE was on the scene and its crew desperately searched for survivors in the frigid waters. David fearlessly volunteered to leave the safe haven of the COMANCHE to dive overboard to help rescue the DORCHESTER’s crew. As other crewmen also volunteered to dive in, 93 survivors were rescued out of the freezing waters.

After the last of the survivors were safely aboard, David began to climb the cargo net to the ship’s deck. One of David’s shipmates, Richard Swanson, was having trouble climbing the net due to his freezing limbs. David descended the net with the help of another crewman and pulled Swanson to the deck out of harm’s way. Tragically, David died a few days later from pneumonia.

The joint venture formed by Technip (50%) and DOF (50%) was awarded by Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) eight contracts. These contracts cover the construction of four new pipelay support vessels (PLSVs) and operation in Brazilian waters to install flexible pipes. The combined value for Technip is approximately €1.35 billion.

Two of the PLSVs will have a 300-ton laying tension capacity and will be fabricated in Brazil with a high national content. The other two vessels will be designed to achieve a 650-ton laying tension capacity, thus enabling the installation of large diameter flexible pipes in ultra-deepwater environments, such as the Brazilian pre-salt. Vard Holdings Limited (“VARD”), one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of offshore and specialized vessels, will be in charge of the design and construction of the four PLSVs.

Under the Technip/DOF joint venture agreement, Technip will manage flexible pipelay and DOF will be responsible for marine operations. Delivery of the PLSVs is scheduled for 2016-2017. Contracts will last eight years from start of operations, and could be renewed for another eight-year period.

Frédéric Delormel, Technip’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Subsea, declared: “This strategic contract reinforces our subsea leadership in Brazil and our long-term relationship with Petrobras. We are confident that these new state-of-the-art PLSVs, including two with the most important flexible pipelay tension capacity in the world - 650 tons - will be key assets for our client to successfully achieve its projects offshore Brazil.”

Mons S. Aase, DOF’s Chief Executive Officer, added: “The contracts confirm that our co-operation with Technip on the Skandi Vitória and Skandi Niterói has been successful, and reinforces our position as a leading provider of offshore vessels to the Brazilian O&G industry. It comes as a result of our long-term focus on the Brazilian market and is an acknowledgment of the expertise of our people.”

Roy Reite, VARD’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director commented: “I look forward to working with Technip and DOF on these milestone projects. VARD yards both in Europe and Brazil being chosen to build these vessels illustrates the value of having a global presence when working with international clients, and bringing leading edge technology to new markets.”

Strategically located Gibraltar shipyard Gibdock has continued its run of technically advanced offshore support vessel repair and maintenance projects, securing a contract involving a returning customer. The Viking Vanquish (photo), a high capacity 3D seismic survey vessel operated for CGG, has undergone a 21-day programme of works, leaving the shipyard’s drydocks in mid-September prior to sea trials.

Based in France, CGG operates 23 seismic survey vessels, after acquiring Fugro’s geoscience division earlier this year - claimed to be the largest high-end seismic fleet in the industry.

John Taylor, Gibdock operations director, says: “We are really building up momentum in this demanding sector of the shiprepair business. Our ability to attract contracts from the top players in the industry reflects confidence in our workforce, and our safety procedures. We are now the yard of choice for demanding offshore vessel projects in the Mediterranean.”

The scope of work carried out on Viking Vanquish included a tailshaft withdrawal and the full overhaul of the shaft, couplings, liners and related equipment. This complex process required cutting away a section of the stern tube to gain access.

Are Skaanevik, technical superintendent for ship manager CGG Eidesvik, says: “The project went very well. We chose Gibdock largely because of the capacity and capabilities of its machine shop, which we called upon extensively. We have had a very good experience and I hope that this will be the start of a good long-term relationship.”

“This was certainly not a straightforward or standard job,” explains Mr Taylor. “Usually the couplings can be found in the engine room, without access complications. This was not the case on this project, but we nonetheless managed to finish on schedule.” Gibdock also machined liners for the tail shaft, which were not supplied pre-machined.

The 93.3m long, 8,621grt Viking Vanquish (built 1998) is owned by Norwegian company Eidesvik and was converted for seismic operations in 2007. Towing 12 x 8km streamers as standard, the vessel is capable of acquiring high quality data in all conditions.

Gibdock also carried out a series of load tests on the Viking Vanquish’s many winches and eye-plates, as well as a range of other machinery and pipe works. The yard renewed propeller blade seals and blasted and painted the vessel’s exterior.

Commenting on a period of sustained workload in the offshore sector at the yard, Gibdock managing director, Richard Beards, says: “This project adds another reference to our growing body of work in this specialised market for 2013, following a series of contracts for seismic survey, dive support, pipelayer and other offshore vessel types secured in the past year.”

Mr Skaanevik highlights another notable aspect of the project as using a cleaning product from Ultraclean AS, believed never to have been used before in shiprepair. The product, a combination of gel and chemicals, was applied to remove corrosion on Viking Vanquish’s gun-deck and cranes then washed away with water, to prepare surfaces for coating. CGG, Eidesvik and Gibdock expressed satisfaction with the results of using a product that may provide an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional blasting.

Bechtel, the global engineering, construction, and project management company, has created a revolutionary design for ports that could transform shipping in Africa. The Multi-User Offshore Hub is designed for two or more users and consists of an offshore, smart terminal arrangement and docking system that can accommodate oceangoing vessels and barges. The Multi-User Offshore Hub has the potential to open new market opportunities for African ports by significantly increasing capacity and substantially reducing port construction and operation costs.

"As existing African ports become more and more congested, increased capacity is an urgent need for both the import of consumer goods and the export of minerals. Each requires out-of-the-box solutions to handle as many containers as efficiently as possible and to speed the provision of new mineral export facilities to enable the region to develop its economy," said Marco Pluijm, Bechtel's senior ports specialist, who unveiled the Multi-User Offshore Hub concept today at the African Ports Evolution 2013 Forum in Cape Town. "This solution could provide a reduction of up to 40 percent in port infrastructure construction costs compared with building a traditional port and up to 50 percent in operational cost savings as the hub can handle much larger Capesize and Valemax vessels, which result in economies of scale."

The Multi-User Offshore Hub concept combines a country's existing transport modes, such as rail and river barges, to provide the most efficient and sustainable logistics possible. Bechtel is currently identifying suitable sites for a Multi-User Offshore Hub in countries in both East and West Africa.

The Multi-User Offshore Hub concept builds on Bechtel's ongoing commitment to improve shipping capabilities in Africa. The company is also leading a three-year joint-industry research project to improve the safety of mooring large cargo ships off the coast of West Africa. Both initiatives are instrumental in upgrading and expanding port infrastructure needs in Africa. The two initiatives are part of Bechtel’s longstanding work in Africa, which spans more than 70 years.

Bechtel is a global leader in the research, design, and construction of port and marine projects. The company has successfully completed more than 80 port and marine projects across the world, 28 in the last decade. These include Jubail Port development (part of Jubail Industrial City) and Khalifa port and Kizad, which has the first semiautomated container terminal in the Middle East.

A breakthrough of integrated power, propulsion and automation systems for better energy efficiency

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won an order to provide integrated solutions that include the electrical propulsion system, Azipod® CZ and automation system onboard two offshore accommodation vessels.

The 1+1 accommodation vessels will be built by COSCO (Nantong) Shipyard Co., Ltd for Singapore-registered owner Logitel Offshore, which is a subsidiary of Norwegian company Sevan Marine. The cylinder-shaped vessels will each have a displacement of about 40,000 tons and capacity to accommodate 490 persons.

ABB has extensive experience in providing electrical propulsion systems and Azipod units for various offshore vessels. However, this is a breakthrough order for ABB in the floater business to provide an integrated solution that combines not only electrical propulsion system and Azipod, but also the automation system. This integrated package will be delivered to the shipyard by October 2014.

ABB will provide power distribution systems for the two Logitel vessels, including generators, switchboards and main transformers, as well as propulsion transformers and frequency converters. The order also calls for the installation of six Azipod CZ units, conferring superior vessel energy efficiency and manoeuvrability.In addition, based on the System 800xA Extended Automation platform, the ABB automation package provided will be based on its System 800xA Extended Automation platform. This is a version of the group’s world-renowned industrial automation platform that has been adapted for marine applications; include vessel and power monitoring, emergency shutdown, Fire & Gas, as well as the automation of Helideck Monitoring Systems and Loading Computers.

 “ABB already has a large market share in terms of onboard power and propulsion systems,” says Heikki Soljama, head of ABB’s business unit marine and Cranes. “However, this order represents a milestone in our strategy to offer complete solutions for power, propulsion, automation and vessel control. It is the first embodiment of the ‘total integration’ and we believe customers will see a step forward in benefits when one supplier is providing a total package of integrated, cutting edge solutions that deliver enhanced energy efficiency, reliability and improved asset management .”  

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

Gibdock has underlined its growing reputation in the offshore vessel sector by securing its first dry docking contract from Technip, a world leader in project management, engineering and construction for the energy industry.

Wellservicer, a multi-role diving support vessel with subsea lift capabilitym, has undergone an intensive and relatively complex class renewal docking at the  Gibraltar yard, and has been delivered back to Technip, ready for work.

Richard Beards, Gibdock Managing Director, said: “Gibdock’s work is characterised by its diversity and continues to involve a full range of vessel types. However, our location, quality of work and ability to redeliver on schedule is attracting a growing number of high-end offshore vessel owners. It is a matter of pride that we executed this project to the exacting standards set by Technip.”

Gibdock staff undertook Technip’s Integrated Safe System of Work (ISSoW) program, a course specific to the marine sector exemplifying the standards set for the owner’s fleet. All manual workers engaged in the project passed level 1, with Gibdock management undertaking level 3.

“We were keen to work with Gibdock because we knew their record for carrying out quality work, safely,” said Ricky McGowan, Capex Project Manager for Marine Operations at Technip. “Dealing with the shipyard was smooth, and they took a proactive approach to safety and embracing our ISSoW. Overall we were very happy with how the dry dock went.”

John Taylor, Gibdock Operations Director, said: “Technip has very demanding safety standards. As our offshore workload continues to grow, we are consistently demonstrating that our own safety regime is robust enough to meet the distinctive requirements set for this specialised market.”

The 111.4m long, 9158gt DP-class 3 Wellservicer arrived at Gibdock on May 6^th and was successfully undocked on June 17^th. After several days of afloat repairs, and sea trials, she returned to the yard for mobilisation work, before leaving for her next assignment in Canada. 

The main scope of work included an extensive overhaul of the ship’s three tunnel thrusters and three azimuthing thrusters, which were removed to the yard’s workshops, disassembled and put through a rigorous maintenance programme before rebuilding. Gibdock engineers worked in close collaboration with Technip’s supplier, Rolls Royce. It also included removal of the two small deck cranes and their replacement with two brand new five tonne capacity units. This required deck plate modification, including work to under deck stiffeners.

Jonathan Pocock, Gibdock Ship Repair Manager, said: “There was a large amount of pipe modification and considerable steel work. We have carried out a number of deck crane replacements recently; this was different but we were able to draw on our past experience.”

Other tasks included an upgrade to the fire line system, which involved fitting new pipework, and the erection of a significant amount of scaffolding. This was required in order to safely gain access to the helideck, and to carry out necessary works to the under deck supports.

“Gibdock staff will remain ISSoW-certified for two years,” said Mr Taylor. “We are well prepared to offer our services for consideration by Technip in the near future.”

Barge Master has received a Letter of Award from Niestern Sander bv for employment of the Barge Master motion compensated crane on their new Walk-to-Work vessel, to be built for Wagenborg. The vessel including the Barge Master system will be ready in the first quarter of 2015. NAM will use the motion compensated crane to service and maintain gas production platforms in the North Sea.

Oil & Gas platforms have become smaller and more flexible during the last forty years. They no longer have a resident crew or helicopter pads which means frequent journeys to and from the platform by ship in order to perform maintenance work.  With the new Walk-to Work Vessel these operations can be executed in a safer, more efficient and effective manner.  The Vessel is unique because multiple functions are combined for the first time.  The vessel can accommodate 20 crewmembers and 40 service technicians, chemicals can be stored and transferred safely, and thanks to the T40 Barge Master system materials can be transferred during wave heights of up to 3 meters.  Through utilizing new technology, NAM is able to safely continue harvesting gas on the North Sea with an extended weather window and less down time. 

Saipem, Fairmount’s client, was very pleased with their performance. “The execution of the complex operations demonstrates sound engineering methodology, good preparations, strong teamwork and 110 percent commitment of all involved,’’ stated Saipem management.

Mr. Albertde Heer, CEO of Fairmount, is happy with the achievement of the entire team. "We are delighted to have been so closely involved in this truly unique assignment,’’Mr. De Heer says. “Once again the Fairmount team demonstrated its supreme professionalism in successfully completing this complex, high value project. We hope it’s the first of many to come."

DOF Subsea USA has taken delivery of the new build DPII Multipurpose Construction Vessel - Harvey Deep-Sea under a 4-year long term charter agreement with Harvey Gulf International Marine.

DOF Subsea will immediately commence the planned mobilization, comprising of structural reinforcement of the back deck to allow rapid mobilization of project specific equipment, repositioning of the crane boom rest, expansion of deck utilities, integration of two (2) new XLX ROV system and installation of on-line /off-line survey systems. 

Upon completion of the mobilization and prior to commencing committed work with undisclosed client in the Gulf of Mexico, the vessel will undertake a short trials program to test the newly integrated ROV's and calibrate on-board USBL and Crane AHC Systems.

The Harvey Deep-Sea is a 92 meters in length and 19.5 meters in beam vessel featuring a 165t AHC Knuckle-boom crane (approx. 90t to 3,000 meters), accommodation for 71 people, S92 helideck, FiFi 2 and it is certified to carry methanol proving a suitable asset to the Subsea Team to deliver integrated projects safely and in compliance with the Jones Act.

DOF Subsea owns and operates a high specification fleet of vessels and ROVs, which in combination with our team of highly qualified and experienced personnel provides our Clients with safe, efficient and cost effective project delivery. 

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the delivery of the M/V HARVEY DEEP-SEA, the fourth of its Tiger Shark Class Offshore Support Vessels constructed for Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC of New Orleans, LA. The HARVEY DEEP-SEA was delivered July 19, 2013. The vessel was launched at Eastern’s Allanton Facility in mid-December of last year. The HARVEY DEEP-SEA is Eastern’s second Multi-Purpose Light Construction Vessel (LCV) for Harvey Gulf. Eastern Shipbuilding Group has now constructed 11 vessels for Harvey Gulf since 2002.



Last month Harvey Gulf announced the contract signing for its 12th, 13th and 14th vessels to be constructed by Eastern Shipbuilding, the M/V HARVEY SUB-SEA, HARVEY BLUE-SEA and HARVEY INTERVENTION. This new STX Marine IMR-340H Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Vessel design measures 327'x 73'x 29'-3" and features a 250MT AHC Sub-Sea Crane. Additionally, the HARVEY INTERVENTION will feature a 250MT modular handling tower with top drive capabilities.



The HARVEY DEEP SEA is an ABS XA1, XAMS, XACCU, Circle E, ENVIRO+, Green Passport (GP), NBLES, CRC, HELIDK, Offshore Support Vessel and certified under SOLAS/IMO. ABS class also includes the ABS DPS-2 and Firefighting FFV-2 notations. It is AC Diesel-Electric powered with twin Schottel Z-drives and three Schottel STT4 bow thrusters and its dimensions are 302’ X 64’ X 24’-6". This Multi-Purpose Construction Vessel (LCV), the HARVEY DEEP-SEA, is equipped with an active heave-compensated, National Oilwell Varco 165-ton knuckle boom Sub-Sea Crane capable of lifting/setting at depths up to 10,000 ft. The HARVEY DEEP-SEA is now scheduled to sail to New Orleans, Louisiana for final installation of its Sub-Sea Crane. This vessel will fill a niche in a very selective market, covered in the past by mostly foreign flag construction vessels.