Gallery: Bourbon expands fleet with its ‘most powerful’ vessel so far

Bourbon Offshore, a France-based owner of offshore vessels, has taken delivery of the new anchor handler, the Bourbon Arctic.

According to the shipowner, the Bourbon Arctic AHTS was delivered from the Vard Brattvåg shipyard in Norway and completed its first anchor handling operation.

The vessel was engaged in the disconnection and unmooring operation of the ‘Island Innovator’ located at the Fosen field in the central North Sea.

The vessel has a bollard pull of 307 t in boost mode and 193 t in diesel electric mode only, this being among the highest Bollard Pull in the world in this mode, Bourbon Offshore said.

Bourbon says that with a strengthened hull and enhanced winterization equipment (Ice class), the dual-fuelled vessel can work in temperatures down to -20° C.

The Bourbon Arctic can welcome up to 60 persons (including crew) and, according to the owner, has the flexibility to be used as a floatel when not engaged in anchor-handling operations.

“Thanks to her unique winch and storage capacities and to her highest standards (clean & comfort class, DP 2, dual propulsion), she is the most powerful vessel in Bourbon’s fleet.” said Gaël Bodénès, Chief Operating Officer of Bourbon.