DOF Subsea sells under-construction newbuild to Australia

DOF Subsea Rederi AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of DOF Subsea AS, has sold a ship under construction at STX OSV (yard no. 771) to the Government of Australia. Delivery from the shipyard is set for the first half of May. The vessel, the Skandi Bergen, is a sister to the ACV Ocean Protector (pictured here), which is currently operated by Australia’s Customs and Border Protection.

According to a joint release by Australia’s Minister for Defense and Minister for Defense Materiel, the ship is being bought for less than A$130 million (about US$138 million).

The 6,500 tonne ship is 105 m long and 21 m wide. It has accommodations for up to 100 people, more than 1,000 sq.m of deck area, and a helipad. Its purchase will ensure that Australia has the humanitarian and disaster relief capability required between now and the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships in the middle of the decade. It will primarily be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations domestically and in the region.

After the LHDs enter service, the vessel will be transferred to Customs and Border Protection.

The Skandi Bergen will be able to undertake patrols in the Southern Ocean providing surveillance, detection and apprehension of any vessels operating illegally. The vessel is able to operate in sub-Antarctic weather conditions.

“The commercial off-the-shelf vessel will require minimal modifications and will enter into service in the middle of the year and will be operated under a civilian crewing arrangement,” says the joint statement.

March 19, 2012