Ulstein has informed that the first of four ultra-long distance towing and anchor handling vessels, ‘ALP Striker’, has been launched at Japan’s Niigata Shipbuilding & Repair.
Based on the ULSTEIN SX157 design, Ulstein says ALP Striker is the first vessel of its kind, and a natural part of the ALP Future Class. The vessel is primarily designed for long-distance towing of large structures, such as oil rigs or FPSOs. The vessel is expected to deliver in the range of 300 t bollard pull.
It measures 88.9 m length and 21 m in the beam, and has a deadweight of approximately 4,250 t. Ulstein adds that, with a fuel capacity of 3,500 t, the vessel can perform non-stop Trans-Atlantic/Indian, Pacific Ocean towing operations without fuel calls.
The vessel is planned for delivery in 2016 to ALP Maritime Services, a subsidiary of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P.
To remind, Teekay acquired ALP in February 2014, and, as part of the transaction, the two ordered four towing and anchor handling vessel newbuildings from Niigata Shipbuilding & Repair.