Statoil awards Simon Møkster Shipping AS contracts for three emergency response and rescue vessels (ERRV), and Havila Shipping ASA for one ERRV. The contacts have a total value, included options, of NOK 2.7 billion. The vessels will be part of Statoil’s area-wide emergency response on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
Subsea 7, a global leader in seabed-to-surface engineering, construction and services, has taken delivery of Seven Arctic and Seven Kestrel, successfully completing a substantial and targeted fleet investment program that has added six new-build vessels to the Subsea 7 fleet since 2014.
The start of every year calls for time to reflect on the last. The offshore and marine industry can look back on 2016 as one of the most bruising in recent memory. The downturn has been tough and drawn out, with increased divestment, more stringent environmental regulations and a prolonged shipbuilding cycle that has resulted in overcapacity.
Subsea operations specialist Swire Seabed AS purchases a subsea vessel as part of its growth strategy. The vessel was delivered to Swire Seabed in December and will be working on global AUV operations as part of a six-year contract.
Subsea operations specialist, Swire Seabed AS has taken delivery of its fourth subsea vessel, Seabed Constructor.
Swire Seabed has secured a six-year contract for Seabed Constructor with UK based Ocean Infinity. The vessel will be carrying out AUV based survey and construction support operations on a global basis. The vessel is a multi-functional subsea support and construction vessel of MT6022 MK II design. 115 meters in length and with a beam of 22 meters, Seabed Constructor is equipped with a 250-tonne crane and a free deck space of 1,300 square meters.
“The decision to invest in this high quality subsea vessel is part of Swire Seabed’s long-term growth strategy. Our contract with Ocean Infinity enables the Company to establish a survey department that can process and present large quantities of high quality data to our clients. Despite the challenging times in the offshore industry, the strength of our parent company, Swire Pacific Offshore (SPO), with support from the rest of the Swire Group, allows Swire Seabed to continue investing in new assets and facilitating the company’s development and expansion in both current and new market segments,” says CEO, Swire Seabed, Arvid Pettersen.
Headquartered in Bergen, Norway, Swire Seabed is a fully owned subsidiary of Swire Pacific Offshore, a diversified marine services conglomerate. Swire Seabed prides itself on its strong track record of undertaking a wide range of subsea operations and its team of highly experienced onshore and offshore specialists.
Swire Seabed’s other subsea vessels are Seabed Worker, Seabed Supporter and Seabed Prince. These versatile and modern vessels are designed to perform a diverse range of light construction, IMR and survey work scopes in both the Oil & Gas and renewables sector. All vessels are equipped with heavy-duty WROVs (work class ROVs), some with water depth capacity of 6,000 meters, and have a track record for executing specialist ultra-deep water cargo recoveries at depths well beyond 4,000 meters. All three vessels are all contracted for work in survey and construction projects on a long-term basis.
Swire Seabed also owns several highly sophisticated mobile assets including two 3,000-metre rated Kystdesign Supporter WROV systems, a 6,000-metre depth rated Argus Bathysaurus XL WROV, a Sperre Sub-fighter 15k Observation ROV and Seabed Excavator, a cutting-edge multi-purpose subsea tool carrier and dredging vehicle.
Fugro has secured its continued utilisation of high performance offshore IRM vessel, REM Etive, and has finalised a purchase agreement at conditions significantly more beneficial than a renewed charter agreement, with owner Solstad.
Bibby Offshore, the leading provider of subsea installation and services to the offshore oil and gas industry, is pleased to announce the long-term extension to the charter of its dive-support vessel (“DSV”) Bibby Topaz, owned by Volstad Maritime. The terms and conditions of the extended charter arrangement have been adjusted to reflect the current market environment and are now based on a more mutual sharing of risk and reward.
The world’s largest jack-up vessel Seajacks Scylla, has recently visited the Rotterdam Offshore Group (ROG) terminal in the Waalhaven, after her first successful assignment on phase 1 of the Veja Mate Offshore Windpark project.
Damen Shipyards Group has announced a new line of Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD). The new product range, comprising of the Marine Aggregate Dredger (MAD) 4000 and 5600 vessels, was introduced in response to extensive market research and customer consultation. The MAD vessels are expected to be well received by an aggregate industry facing rising demand and an aging fleet.
Photo courtesy: Damen
Designed in collaboration with Maritime Design and Engineering Services (MD&ES), an established name known for its innovative approach, the MAD 4000 and 5600 are welcome additions to Damen’s Trailing Suction Hopper Dredging portfolio. For offshore aggregate operations, the new vessels will be able to work in North Sea conditions up to depths of -60 meters. These capabilities allow operators to mine sand and gravel in deeper waters, farther from shore than preceding models.
Damen has invested considerably in research and development for the new MAD vessels, having observed an increase in demand for civil construction supplies deriving from an overall improving economy. The development aims at offering industry advanced technology, well suited to existing ports and delivering more uptime at sea.
Olivier Marcus, Damen’s Product Director Dredging comments: “We’ve tailored the technical specifications of the designs in line with the port infrastructure in the region in which the dredgers will operate.
“Furthermore, we’ve paid close attention to seakeeping behaviour in order to ensure the vessels can operate comfortably and safely, even in harsh weather conditions.”
Unlike traditional dredgers, the bow shape of the MAD vessels allows them to operate in adverse weather conditions. The shape is based on a proven Damen design applied to renowned vessels such as the Damen Offshore Carrier (DOC) and Platform Supply Vessel (PSV). In addition to improved seakeeping behavior, the bow shape also protects the sand and gravel cargo from green water ingress.
The MAD vessels have been developed with tomorrow in mind, states Mr. Marcus: “These vessels are future proof. Featuring Tier III engines and, requiring no ballast water, fully compliant with the latest IMO regulations, these dredgers are looking forwards. On top of that the design also takes into account the possible future requirement for advanced automation.”
Close attention has been paid to incorporating the most robust equipment for operations in harsh environments. A submerged, wear-resistant Damen dredge pump facilitates the loading of sand and gravel aboard the vessel. Once onboard, the aggregate then passes through the heavy-duty dredgers’ screening towers, where giant sieves allow for a better assessment and classification of the mined material. Following this, it is stored and de-watered in the vessel’s hopper – with a capacity of either 4,000 or 5,600 m3 – hence the categorisation of the two types of MAD. The operation is supported by state-of-the-art, optimised instrumentation, offering feedback throughout the entire process.
Upon arrival to port, the vessels’ fully automated clamshell system unloads the material onto a conveyer belt. The system conceived of by the design is a flexible one, suitable for use in varying locations.
Mr. Marcus continues: “With a single vessel you can do almost everything. You can go out, get the material, classify it, dry it and deliver it to location. It is the first standardised design in the world with such a scope.”
Standardized the design may well be, but it is also versatile and takes into account the need for customization and multi-role functionality. “A number of options exist in order to cater to differing client needs,” states Mr. Marcus. “The vessel can be supplied with bottom doors if required – which will offer additional versatility in case it is required to perform differing operations. It can also receive spud poles, for example. And, should the client wish to scale up at any point, the MAD 4,000 can easily be converted into a MAD 5,600 with a simple section addition.”
Concluding, Mr. Marcus says, “The MAD concept is one that tackles not only the needs of today, but of tomorrow also. We have developed a vessel that represents the lowest possible euro to cubic metre ratio. It is lightweight, with an optimised, efficient propulsion train, minimised hydraulic usage and offers both low and easy maintenance. We are very much looking forward to seeing it in action.”
ELA Container Offshore GmbH delivered two Offshore Living Quarters to Belgium based G-Tec Offshore s.a. The containers were placed on board of the multi-purpose drilling vessel MV ‘Omalius’ off the coast of France. The solution on deck turned out to be very successful as the units have also been used for other projects since then.
GE Energy Connections (NYSE: GE) was recently chosen to supply its MV7Series 5 Level (MV7-5L) drive, which will sit topside on a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit for the Greater Enfield project. Located 60 kilometers (km) off Exmouth in Western Australia, the project aggregates production from the Laverda Canyon, Norton over Laverda and Cimatti oil accumulations.
Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) has announced that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has made an offer to acquire the 50% shareholding in Seaway Heavy Lifting Holding Limited currently owned by K&S Baltic Offshore (Cyprus) Limited.
Kongsberg Maritime has launched a new Dynamic Positioning (DP) Maintenance Refresher Course for personnel involved in the maintenance of a vessel’s DP System. The new two-day course will be available at KONGSBERG training centers globally and has been developed to provide the technical and refresher training as recommended in the latest International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) guidelines (M117 Rev.2) in addition to compliance with IMO-STCW Part B section B-V/f.
The first Dynamic Positioning (DP) Maintenance Refresher course took place last week at Kongsberg Maritime’s training center in Kongsberg, Norway. Kongsberg Maritime Ltd’s Aberdeen training center will host its first Dynamic Positioning (DP) Maintenance Refresher course starting on 18th January, with courses in February, March and April already scheduled to meet predicted demand for this unique training.
The new DP Maintenance Refresher Course directly addresses the latest IMCA guidelines
KONGSBERG’s new DP Maintenance Refresher Course offers in-depth training to reduce the risk of accidents involving the DP system on board and to ensure that Electrical/ Electronic Engineers (ETOs) and maintenance personnel can continue to identify faults and perform periodic maintenance in a competent and safe manner. The course is also suitable for personnel who have not worked with a DP system for a long period or are due to work with a vessel that has been upgraded from legacy KONGSBERG DP systems to the current generation K-Pos DP systems and K-Master workstations.
A task-centered approach created in accordance with DNV-GL standard ST-0008 Learning Programs, the DP Maintenance Refresher Course combines theoretical lessons and practical exercises, with the main part focused on technical aspects and fault finding. The technical bridge in the training center will be used for theoretical and practical exercises. Participants must have previously attended a DP Maintenance course for KONGSBERG systems and in order to benefit fully, participants should have general knowledge of electronics and computer-based control systems.
“Competence and awareness leads to increased operational safety, which is why training has been a core aspect of our work since KONGSBERG led the DP revolution in the 1970s and we are committed to continually improving and updating the course offering at our training centers worldwide,” said Eirik Hagensen, General Manager, Global Customer Training, Kongsberg Maritime. “The new DP Maintenance Refresher Course directly addresses the latest IMCA guidelines while meeting high demand for training on Kongsberg Maritime’s latest generation of DP systems.”
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Following the agreement made between the Government of Curaçao and Damen Shipyards Group in September last year, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has taken over the management of the Curaçao Droogdok Maatschappij (CDM) as of February 1st, 2017. The location will continue its activities under the name of Damen Shiprepair Curaçao (DSCu).
In December 2016 Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract with Norway-based VOLT Service AS for a Utility Vessel (UV) 4312 to be delivered in Q1 2018.
At a time when the global marine industry is impacted by market fluctuations, over supply, margin pressures and labor shortages, operators are facing increasing challenge to reduce cost and increase operation efficiency. Traditional methods have created data silos and islands of automation, making it difficult to optimize operations across a vessel or systemize across the fleet. Digital technologies such as the Industrial Internet and data analytics can offer great promise. We have all witnessed the transformation of the aviation industry, where data-driven decision is taking the lead. Just as connected planes are making headway in the air, connected ships also can deliver great potential thanks to the predictive ability which can help improve marine operations.
Image credit: GE’s Marine Solutions
The key to unlocking this digital promise is harnessing the power of Big Data. Traditionally, operations data has been confined to equipment silos used essentially in hindsight for trouble-shooting exceptions. In many cases, equipment manufacturers have managed data access. Hence, marine operators were limited in their ability to leverage respective data for informed decisions. However, breaking data silos and connecting the data to decisions can lead to a true transformation of marine operations.
Operational data from critical equipment systems can be analyzed for real-time insights into vessel performance, leading to more informed decisions and enhanced productivity. Predictive analytics can help provide foresight into equipment degradation, therefore giving operators early warnings to correct problems before they occur, sometimes weeks in advance. This will enable a shift from schedule-based to condition-based maintenance. Such shift is especially critical in the offshore energy sector where non-productive time (NPT) is a major source of inefficiency and financial loss. A single drill ship, for example, can incur a loss of $12 million in revenue per year, on average, due to NPT events.
In addition, software also can be used to retain knowledge and experience. Data-driven decisions enable consistent, objective decisions despite diversity in crew expertise. The usual performance variances from shift-to-shift or crew-to-crew will be minimized and enterprise-wide operations will be more predictable.
The opportunity is real — after all, 90 percent of world trade is transported over water. This is why forward-looking marine companies are launching strategic initiatives for advanced software analytics to harness the power of data and get insights to enhance operations. This is where GE can help. GE’s SeaStream* Insight, powered by Predix*, is at the forefront of marine digital solutions. Its analytics and decision enablement capabilities help improve a vessel’s operational efficiency by up to 25 percent and reduce maintenance costs by up to 20 percent.
With the fast-paced changes of globally connected economies and shifting regional opportunities, marine operators need to transform themselves to be efficient and predictable. They need the ability to deploy the right resources at the right opportunity and to monitor operational performance anytime, anywhere — drawing real-time insights from operational data is a critical first step to do this. The evolution towards data-driven decisions could lead to a multitude of operational efficiency benefits and long-term competitive differentiation for marine operators.
* Indicates a trademark of the General Electric Company and/or its subsidiaries.
Author: Tim Schweikert, president & CEO, GE’s Marine Solutions
Allianz Middle East Ship Management and Maritime Craft Services (MCS) have taken delivery of a Damen Fast Crew Supplier 2610. Demonstrating the cooperative relationship between the two companies, the new vessel will offer safe and cost efficient crew transfer services for up to 50 passengers to and from the Abu Dhabi oil fields. The two companies welcomed guests on board the new vessel in a festive celebration during this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC). Business associates and clients were given a tour on board the vessel at the Emirates Palace Marina.
“We are very proud to see another FCS 2610 enter service in the Middle East oil and gas industry,” states Damen Sales Manager Middle East Teun Haverkort. “A great result of 3 companies combining their expertise to reduce operational costs and to create a higher standard in safety and crew comfort.”
Photo credit: Damen
With the vessel available on stock, Damen carried out a number of adaptations to make it OPCO compliant. This meant preparing the vessel – called MCS Allianz Venus – for operations in the Abu Dhabi oil fields, where she will soon start work on her first contract.
The most significant modification was made to the passenger accommodation, says Mr Haverkort: “The passenger capacity has been increased to 50 persons – making for cost effective and safe crew transfer services for the oil and gas industry in the region. This represents a truly viable alternative to helicopter transfers.”
Illustrating this last point even further is the vessel’s 90m2 of deck space, which is big enough to accommodate two 20 foot containers. “The outfitting also included upgrading the 5-man crew accommodation to allow for extended offshore duties.”
Allianz Middle East Ship Management is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Allianz is a maritime service provider and specialises in the provision of marine transportation services to the offshore oil and gas drilling and production industry.
Scotland-based MCS operates an international fleet of tugs and workboats active in the a wide range of sectors that include dredging support and marine construction in addition to crew transfer operations for both the offshore wind and oil and gas industries. MCS has more than 10 years of experience working in the Middle East.
Allianz and MCS have a long working relationship; one that draws upon their operational knowledge and crew transfer experience. The purchase of this new FCS 2610 signifies an extension of their collaborative association.
Damen’s FCS 2610 design showed its first signs of success while performing crew transfer duties for the North Sea offshore wind sector. To this day, the vessel operates at 25 knots and provides operators with safe and swift passenger and cargo transfers.
The vessel’s seakeeping is perhaps the most crucial aspect though – a smooth ride ensuring that offshore personnel reach their destination in a fit and healthy state. It is these proven credentials that have recently started to be noticed by operators active in the oil and gas industry. The MCS Allianz Venus is the second FCS 2610 active in this sector in the Middle East.
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