TechnipFMC has added to its international fleet of subsea pipelay, diving, and construction ships after purchasing a newbuild diving support vessel – the Deep Discoverer.
The company signed a deal with VARD shipyard in Norway to purchase the vessel in late 2018. The vessel is currently undergoing an operational readiness program and will begin work in the first half of 2019, TechnipFMC said on Monday.
The vessel will primarily service the North Sea diving construction and Inspection, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) markets.
Deep Discoverer has DP3 capabilities, as well as an 18-person twin bell saturation diving system, in-built air diving spread and a 250 Te NOV Hydralift subsea crane. The 2017-built Deep Discoverer is 121 m long and it can accommodate 120 people.
According to the company, this acquisition reinforces TechnipFMC’s position in the IRM sector, whilst supporting sustainable project economics for clients.
Bill Morrice , Vice President of Commercial for UK and Mediterranean at TechnipFMC, said: “This addition to our fleet not only demonstrates our steadfast commitment to diving construction operations in the North Sea, but also significantly improves our capabilities in the IRM market.”