Ulstein to build two PSV’s on spec

Norway’s Ulstein Verft has been contracted to build two Ulstein PX121 medium size platform supply vessels for a newly established company within the Ulstein Group. They will be delivered in first and third quarters of 2012.

“We have analyzed the market to make the right choices for Ulstein Group. We strongly believe that there will be an increased demand for this type of medium-sized platform supply vessels,” says Ulstein Group CEO Gunvor Ulstein. “On the basis of competence, quality and benchmarking of prices, Ulstein Verft is competitive, and it is an advantage that we can use our own yard to build the first vessels in this series. Ulstein Verft has had attractive delivery time frames as such the ships will be completed at a period where the market will need this type of tonnage.”

Ulstein Verft managing director Karsten Saevik says that the shipyard’s order book is now filled until the end of summer 2012. “These are important contracts, which contribute to filling our capacity,” he says.

The two ships will be build numbers 291 and 294 at Ulstein Verft.

“We have been focusing on an efficient hull design and a conscious choice of propulsion systems to minimize fuel consumption and emissions,” says Tore Ulstein, head of Ulstein Design and Solutions. “The vessels are built with the X-Bow hull design that is particularly well suited for this type of vessel. A bow of this type will in good weather offer the same efficiency as a traditional bow with a bulb, but over a large variation in depth foregoing. This is particularly important for vessels that operate with varying loads such as a PSV often does. In addition, the X-Bow has unique characteristics in terms of motion and propulsion efficiency in heavy seas, and this is a positive contribution to the well-being on board, as well as efficiency.”

The ships are optimized for certain types of operations, they are adapted to the requirements for longer and deeper boreholes, and activities further from land.

With a length of 83.4 m and beam of 18 m, the vessels have a cargo deck area of 875 sq.m and load capacity of 4,200 dwt.

Ulstein says that with good tank capacities in a flexible and segregated arrangement, the multi-functional vessels will be able to work very well for many types of supply contracts.

Both the hull and propulsion system are deliberately chosen to be particularly well suited for the North Sea and the North Atlantic. The ships meet the requirements of Clean Design, and have treatment systems for ballast water and are prepared for fire-fighting class Fi-Fi 2. In addition to the usual tanks for oil, water and drilling fluids, the vessels have four stainless steel tanks for flammable liquids, such as methanol.

The ships will reach a speed of at least 15 knots, but are optimized for low fuel consumption at a speed of 12 knots. They are equipped for 24 persons in 17 cabins, with modern accommodations.

Decemberv 17, 2010