Royal IHC to supply reel-lay system for Chinese offshore vessel

Royal IHC, a Dutch builder of vessels and equipment for the offshore oil & gas industry, has signed a contract with Shanghai Salvage in China for the supply of an integrated 550t reel-lay system.

Royal IHC said on Tuesday that this will be the first reel-lay system in the Chinese market and will be ‘one of the largest and most sophisticated’ reel-lay systems in the world.

The pipelay system, which includes rigid pipe and also has flexible pipelaying capability, will be installed on a new offshore construction vessel of Shanghai Salvage.

IHC Engineering Business, a subsidiary of Royal IHC, will be the company in charge of project execution with engineering concept design already well underway.

According to the company, the system will be installed on the client’s newbuild vessel during the first quarter of 2020, followed by sea trials.

Dave Vander Heyde, CEO of Royal IHC, said: “IHC has been active in the Chinese market for over 30 years, delivering dredging vessels, dredging equipment, and multiple offshore systems like pipelay systems and AHC deep water lowering systems. This new contract with Shanghai Salvage further strengthens our position in this important market for Royal IHC.”