OOS International orders pair of semi-sub crane vessels in China

Dutch provider of offshore accommodation solutions, Holding OOS International Group B.V., has entered into a contract for two newbuild semi-submersible crane vessels (SSCV) with China Merchant Group. 

The contract for the engineering and construction of two SSCVs, OOS Serooskerke and OOS Walcheren, was signed with China Merchant Group’s wholly-owned subsidiary China Merchant Industry Holdings.

OOS said it will equip its two new SSCVs with two heavy-lift cranes with a total dual lifting capacity of 4400T per vessel.

The cranes will be provided by Huisman Equipment BV, which can be utilized for the (de)commissioning of subsea structures, foundations, moorings, floating and heavy-lift platforms for offshore wind structures in deep water. A total of 600T can be heave compensated installed or removed at 3000 meters water depth, the company said.

According to the owner, the two SSCVs will have both hotel and heavy-lift capability simultaneously, just like the company’s first SSCV unit named OOS Gretha, which is presently working for Petrobras, in Brazil. Apart from OOS Gretha, the company’s one other semi-sub accommodation vessel, the OOS Prometheus, is operating offshore Brazil under a four-plus-four-year charter contract with Petrobras.

OOS also noted that, due to their heavy-lift capability, the newbuild vessels are well positioned to enter the de-commissioning market of offshore production platforms worldwide.

Related to the construction of the pair of SSCVs, Kongsberg Maritime has been awarded an offshore EPC contracts with China Merchants Heavy Industries worth more than NOK 520 million ($61.5M).

Kongsberg Maritime Engineering will provide all engineering, procurement and project management while Kongsberg Maritime will supply a ‘Full picture’ system delivery. The contracts include supply and integration of the electrical, telecom and integrated control systems, project management, interface management and engineering services at all stages.

Kongsberg will also provide system switchboards, frequency converters, automation, navigation & DP systems, radio and satellite communications, networking and on board entertainment, safety technology and monitoring components such as the helideck system.

The units will also be equipped with STX-MAN diesel engines and Thrustmaster thrusters fitted with a condition monitoring system.

The units will provide hotel services for 750 people in mainly single and twin cabins.

The owner noted that the engineering and construction phase is estimated to be completed in 2Q 2019 for the first SSCV (OOS Serooskerke) and 3Q for the second SSCV (OOS Walcheren).

Offshore Energy Today Staff