Britoil to enter PSV market with PX121 pair

NOVEMBER 8, 2012 — Singapore shipowner Britoil Offshore Services Pte Ltd. is entering the PSV market. It has entered into a contract with Ulstein covering the design and equipment for two PX121 platform supply vessels that it will build at its own shipyard in Batam, Indonesia, P.T. Britoil Offshore Indonesia.

When the first PX121, the 83.4 m x 18 m Blue Fighter, was delivered from Ulstein Verft in January this year (see earlier story) a team from Britoil attended the preliminary sea trials.

While the Britoil ships will have the same hull lines as Blue Fighter and its sister ship Blue Prosper, they will be customized to Britoil’s requirements. Changes will include adding one extra accommodation deck, allowing for a total complement of 50 persons.

The ships will be built according to IMO’s SPS Code (special purpose ships), and will have OILREC class notation (oil spill recovery in emergency situations).

“Britoil is a new customer for Ulstein,” says Ulstein Group deputy CEO Tore Ulstein, “and we are very happy that the company is now selecting Ulstein designs for their entry into a new market segment. We strongly believe that Britoil will find the new PX121 vessels to be a cost-effective and attractive complement to their fleet.”

“This is a break-through for Ulstein in Southeast Asia, and the first time an Ulstein designed vessel will be constructed at an Indonesian yard,” says Ulstein Design & Solutions managing director Sigurd Viseth. “The contract comprises a comprehensive equipment package including basic design, engineering support and main equipment supplied by Ulstein (generator sets, DP system, main azimuth propellers, tunnel thruster and retractable thruster, FiFi system, cargo handling system etc.). I also includes a large power and control package (electric propulsion system, integrated bridge solution, consoles, radio/navigation equipment, Ulstein IAS (integrated automation system) and Ulstein COM (internal communication system).