IHC Offshore & Marine, part of IHC Merwede, and SapuraCrest have signed two contracts for the design, engineering and construction of two new 550t pipelaying vessels.
A third contract has been signed with OSX Construçăo Naval S.A. Brazil for the design and engineering of a 300t pipelaying vessel, as well as a large equipment package supplied by IHC Engineering Business, among others. The orders have a total value of €450million.
All three ships will install flexible pipelines in Brazilian waters, pursuant to Petrobras’ contracts for the charter and operation of pipelaying support vessels, which were awarded to SapuraCrest.
SapuraCrest is a leading Malaysian rig and offshore support vessel operator. The company is listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
IHC Merwede will build the two identical 550t pipelaying vessels at the Krimpen aan den IJssel yard. These vessels are the first fully integrated offshore vessels completely designed, engineered and built by IHC Merwede with a pipelay spread supplied by IHC Engineering Business. In addition, IHC Drives & Automation will deliver the integrated automation system, the full electrical installation and the complete electrical machinery package. Other IHC Merwede businesses, such as IHC Piping, are also delivering equipment.
The third vessel – with a top tension capacity of 300t – will also be designed and engineered by IHC Merwede. The vessel will be – in accordance with the demands of Petrobras – built in Brazil, at the OSX yard in Açu, Rio de Janeiro. The pipelay spread will also be supplied by IHC Engineering Business.
The delivery dates for the vessels to be built in The Netherlands have been set for May and August 2014 respectively.
“IHC Merwede is delighted with the orders that have been confirmed by SapuraCrest and OSX,” says IHC Merwede’s President Govert Hamers. ”Together with the pipelaying vessel we are building for Subsea 7, IHC Merwede plays a major role as technology provider on four of the six pipelaying vessels ordered by Petrobras. “We are extremely proud of our record on reliability and cost effectiveness for the delivery, management and execution of projects. These contracts reinforce our position as a supplier of reliable, efficient and flexible vessels, and advanced equipment that can meet the shortest possible lead times for the demands of oil and gas projects.”
Company profile IHC Merwede
IHC Merwede is focussed on the continuous development of design and construction activities for the specialist maritime sector. It is the global market leader for efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment – with vast experience accumulated over decades – and a reliable supplier of custom-built ships and supplies for offshore construction.
IHC Merwede has in-house expertise for engineering and manufacturing innovative vessels and advanced equipment, as well as providing life-cycle support. Its integrated systematic approach has helped to develop optimum product performance and long-term business partnerships.
The company’s broad customer base includes dredging operators, oil and gas corporations, offshore contractors and government authorities. IHC Merwede has over 3,000 employees based at various locations in The Netherlands, China, Croatia, France, India, the Middle East, Nigeria, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Technological innovation will remain the company’s underlying strength through its continuous investment in research and development. Moreover, it helps to safeguard a sustainable environment.
[mappress] Subsea World News Staff , March 01, 2012; Image: IHC Merwede