Atlantic Towing (USA) has selected newly-designed, ice-strengthened PSV 5000 vessels from Damen Shipyards Group to meet its demanding 10-year offshore support contract with ExxonMobil Canada Properties and Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC).
The vessels will operate in the challenging sub-arctic waters of the Hibernia and Hebron oil fields, off Newfoundland and Labrador.
ATL will take delivery of four PSV 5000 vessels, one of which will be equipped for inspection, repair and maintenance duties. All four will share the same fully functional PSV design platform, with the first vessel due in service in the second half of 2016. Featuring Damen’s distinctive bow design, the PSV 5000 vessels will include cost- and emissions-efficient diesel electric power plant.
Jan van Hogerwou , Manager North America, Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, says: “These will be safety critical vessels, working in sub-arctic conditions in one of the world’s foggiest places renowned for strong winds, high waves, snow and icebergs. All four will benefit from iceberg management tools , while the IRM vessel will feature a 100 ton subsea crane equipped with an advanced heave compensation system for operation in the Grand Banks area.”
Related: Atlantic Towing: ExxonMobil contract to create 100 jobs (Canada)
The combination of the PSV5000’s flare-less bows, slender hull lines and diesel electric propulsion with azimuth stern drives will minimise fuel consumption and emissions, offering superior sea-keeping and dynamic positioning, and ensure crew comfort in challenging sea conditions. Under Damen’s Clean Design and Environmental Care Protocol, the vessels will also feature fuel efficient generators and a selective catalytic reduction system, in compliance with forthcoming environmental regulations.
Related: Offshore Oil Transforms St. John’s into Canada’s Fastest Growing Economy
“The inclusion of Diesel Electric propulsion is a key attribute, providing efficiency, flexibility and reliability under varied operational conditions in remote locations,” says Van Hogerwou.
“For the crew DE delivers a far quieter working environment and a more comfortable vessel.”
Van Hogerwou emphasizes that, with its 940m2 of deck area, 2 ROV hangars and 2 FRC’s, the new 90m length PSV5000 is much more than a scaled up version of the Damen PSV 3300, which attracted a series of high profile orders after its launch last year.
“Securing this order reflects Damen’s flexibility in adapting our design principles to meet specific client requirements at a very competitive price level within a short delivery timeframe,” he says.
The PSV5000s will join Atlantic Towing’s current fleet of nine offshore support vessels, playing a key role in the project’s iceberg-management programme, as well as fulfilling standard PSV duties.
As part of its contract, Damen has committed to open a Damen certified service and maintenance centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador.
“We will have trained professionals (engineers) and spare parts available within driving distance of the homeport of these vessels,” says Van Hogerwou.