A new subsea operations vessel named Southern Star has started a bareboat charter with Fugro.
Singapore-based new subsea services provider Tasik Subsea supervised the vessel’s build by Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding in Fuzhou, China, at their new Culu Island shipyard.
The diving support vessel was launched at the end of May 2016. The six-year charter is an increase of a year on the original deal, with options for extensions.
Tasik Subsea managing director, John Giddens, said: “The market is difficult with economic challenges at every tier, no one needs telling that.
“But, by working to ensure the operator has an outstanding and reliable vessel that can be operated competitively and flexibly, both parties saw the economic sense in extending the charter period from five to six years in exchange for adjusted rates during some of the firm charter period.”
According to the company, the 112 meter, DP3, 135 man POB, Saturation/Air Dive and ROV operations vessel is the most advanced IACS Classed DSV ever built in China for export and complies with the latest IMCA Codes of Practice and industry safety standards.
It features two moon pools and has a 300 meter rated, 15 man saturation diving system, with two self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboats and has a 150 tonne, active heave compensated crane.
Its ROV hangar can house two deep-water, construction class vehicles, and the DP3 rated vessel’s diesel-electric propulsion system is supplied by ABB with VOITH main thrusters providing additional capability including active roll compensation, and Rolls Royce bow thrusters.