Dockwise picks Hyundai Heavy Industries as shipbuilder for T-0

Heavy lift specialist Dockwise has chosen Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to be the shipbuilder for its new Type 0 vessel. This follows a decision by the Dockwise board,announced in November, to commission a newbuild vessel to service the emerging market for ultra-large transports. The total cost of the vessel including all project and design costs, is expected to be approximately $240 million, with installments of approximately 45 percent in 2011 and 55 percent in 2012.

Dockwise says HHI is scheduled to deliver the vessel during the last quarter of 2012, following sea trials, when it is intended to undertake its initial commercial voyage.

The new vessel has been categorized a “Type 0” (T-0) to reflect its exceptional size. Hitherto, the largest class of heavy lift vessel  has been categorized as Type 1 with cargo capabilities between 41,000 and 73,000 tons.  Dockwise, the only provider in the market, already has two vessels of this type in service.

The vessel is specially design to carry offshore production facilities, including Floating Production Storage and Offloading units (FPSOs). Normally, it can take months for two or three tugs to deliver and FPSO from a shipyard to its production site. The use of this special heavy lift ship will cut delivery times in half, speeding delivery and moving up installation and commissioning times.

Kang Chang-June, HHI’s COO of its Offshore & Engineering Division, said “As an EPIC (Engineering, Procurement, Installation and Commissioning) contractor for offshore projects, we agree that there is a rapidly emerging need for a vessel of this capacity.”

Though the specification is subject to futher detail design engineering,  T-0 will have an overall deck size of 275 m x 70 m, and a revolutionary bowless design. It will have a carrying capacity of more than 110,000 tons.