PHOTO: McDermott’s Amazon vessel arrives in Rotterdam for conversion work

July 18, 2019, by Offshore Energy Today

The McDermott-owned construction vessel Amazon has arrived in Rotterdam to start its transformation into an ultra-deepwater J-Lay vessel.

U.S. engineering company McDermott revealed its plans to convert the Amazon construction vessel to an ultra-deepwater J-Lay vessel in late July 2018.

The Amazon is operated by McDermott under a long-term bareboat charter that started in 2017. The vessel is equipped with twin 400 metric ton cranes and accommodations for 200 personnel.

The modifications will consist of removing the existing tower and replacing it with a J-Lay system with 1,500 tonnes of dynamic top tension on the tower, which will enable large subsea structures and hex sections of pipelines from 4.5 to 24 inches to be installed.

The Amazon modifications will include an integrated multi-joint facility, where single joints will be welded to form hex joints. The 10,000 tonnes of existing cargo space onboard will remove the requirement for onshore facilities to produce the multi-joints, enhancing the mobility of the vessel and reducing reliance on shore bases for support.

Dutch-based Royal IHC has been selected to design and build the J-Lay system and would perform overall management of the modification project.

Initial engineering on the project began in October 2017 and transitioned into full engineering design in January 2018.

McDermott will pay for the modification project primarily through an increased bareboat charter rate over an extended 12-year term once the modifications are complete.

The conversion period that is expected to last ten months and redelivery to McDermott is expected in the summer of 2020.