Hovertrans Solutions to build heavy lift hovercraft at ST Marine

Singapore’s Hovertrans Solutions Pte. Ltd. is to build a 50 tonne payload hoverbarge for charter. Measuring 34 m x 17 m, the modular hoverbarge will have a hover height of 1.8 m. Hovertrans Solutions is a subsidiary of ST Marine and the hoverbarge will be built at ST Marine’s shipyard.

The hoverbarge, a heavy lift hovercraft, can be self propelled by adding two modular propulsion units. The hoverbarge is expected to be available for charter from third quarter 2011.

The amphibious hoverbarge is capable of carrying cargo or equipment over swamps, wetlands, tundra, ice and shallow water, opening up exciting possibilities for oil and  gas exploration and remote field development. A significant advantage of the hoverbarge is that it only exerts 1psi ground pressure whilst on hover, thus minimizing any environmental footprint and in many cases will be the only platform that can be used for the tasks.

Manufactured from cold weather steel and with a specialized skirt system, the hoverbarge can operate in temperatures ranging from 40°C to -40°C. The hoverbarge is designed using a modular concept and involves connection of ISO container sized pontoon units and a skirt frame. This enables the hoverbarge to be shipped around the world using most conventional shipping, thus keeping transportation costs down for customers. Re-assembly and commissioning of the hoverbarge can be completed within a day. This modularity also opens up access for inland operations that require the use of a hoverbarge.

March 7, 2011