Fugro’s PSV becomes geotechnical survey vessel at Ulstein Verft

Ulstein Verft has completed the conversion of a 2015-built platform supply vessel (PSV) into a geotechnical survey vessel for Fugro, representing one out of two vessel transformation tasks it has on its to-do list.

Ulstein Verft finished the conversion of the Fugro Resilience at the end of 2023, on time. Originally a PSV of the Ulstein PX121 design, the vessel has now been repurposed as a vessel for geotechnical operations.

The two partners signed the contract for the conversion of two PSVs into geotechnical vessels in September 2023.

Ulstein’s Design & Solutions engineering team delivered strength calculations and updated plans for the conversion job.

The primary conversion work included implementing a moonpool and removable mezzanine deck and building the foundation for a geotechnical drill tower and an A-frame to prepare Fugro Resilience for new assignments in the offshore wind sector.

According to the company, the conversion also included modifying the internal vessel systems to meet Fugro’s needs.

“Ulstein and Fugro worked collaboratively from concept design through to the delivery of the Fugro Resilience. As the original vessel designer, Ulstein was well-suited for this project,” said Lawrence Cozens, Project Director at Fugro.

“During the design phase, multiple deck layouts were considered before settling on the best layout for each sister vessel. Ulstein then successfully completed the conversion project on time and within the agreed budget.”

Fugro acquired Topaz Endurance and Topaz Energy, renamed Fugro Resilience, in February 2023 with the plan to convert them into geotechnical vessels. The vessels will be joining the Fugro Quest in the geotechnical fleet which the Dutch company acquired in December 2022.

At the end of last year, Fugro reported it was planning to repurpose two additional PSVs into geotechnical vessels.