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LEEVAC Adds Two HOSMAX 310 MPSVs
LEEVAC Shipyards Jennings LLC, of Jennings, LA, a subsidiary of LEEVAC Shipyards, LLC has signed contracts with Hornbeck Offshore Services, LLC, an affiliate of Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. of Covington, LA for the construction of two STX Marine SV 310 Multi-Purpose Supply Vessels; 302’ x 76’ x 26’, 12,070 BHP diesel electric powered MPSV’s.
“These will be the twenty-third and twenty-fourth vessels to be built by LEEVAC for Hornbeck” says Christian Vaccari, President and CEO of LEEVAC.
The SV 310 is a very complex vessel design with unique characteristics integrated into the design by Hornbeck Offshore to meet a number of subsea inspection, repair and maintenance (IMR) support and heavy lift requirements. The vessels will be outfitted with a 250 ton crane provided by Cargotech, and will be powered by four (4) Caterpillar Model 3516C Tier 3 IMO II Marine variable speed diesel propulsion generator sets rated at 2250 kw each. The propulsion drives and thrusters are being provided by Schottel.
“Hornbeck Offshore is pleased to once again be building at LEEVAC” stated Todd Hornbeck, President and CEO of Hornbeck Offshore. ”The team at LEEVAC has delivered the majority of the new vessels that we have constructed since 1997, and we are confident that when delivered, our HOSMAX 310 MPSV’s will continue the string of additions to the HOS fleet from the LEEVAC yard that have historically enhanced our ability to deliver reliable service to our customers, and solid returns to our shareholders.”
Christian Vaccari, President and CEO of LEEVAC went on to say “Exceeding our customer’s expectations by building quality vessels on time and on budget while maintaining an safe work environment is how we preserve long-term relationships with our customers. I am very pleased to see Hornbeck expand their building program with us. This contract will bring our employment count to over 600 jobs in Southwest Louisiana and extend our backlog into early 2016. LEEVAC is currently building two Z-Tech 2400 Class Escort Tugs for G & H Towing Company, one MMC 879 PSV, two LDS 300 DE PSV’s for Tidewater Marine, and two LDS 270 DE PSV’s for Aries Marine.”
GE Power Conversion is the vendor for the integrated electrical system, power management, vessel control, DP-2 systems, machinery alarms, power and propulsion systems. Marine Interior Systems has been selected for the joiner work and Marine Aluminum will be providing the helideck system rated for a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter. The vessel will be built to ABS, USGC and SOLAS classifications. Additionally, will be ABS Classed with the XA1 Offshore Support Vessel (FFV-1) notation for off ship fire-fighting capabilities and SPS (Special Purpose Ship).
VIDEO: Vigor Offshore Patrol Cutter Featuring Ulstein X-BOW
In response to the U.S. Coast Guard’s demanding Offshore Patrol Cutter requirements, Vigor Industrial looked beyond the conventional. With the Ulstein X-BOW®, Vigor delivers unmatched seakeeping and endurance in a capable offshore workhorse.
Shipbuilding Tribune – VIDEO: Vigor Offshore Patrol Cutter Featuring Ulstein X-BOW.
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- Coast Guard rescue crews respond to boat fire with 8 people aboard offshore Nantucket, Mass. (video available) (uscgnews.com)
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USA: Eastern Shipbuilding Launches Harvey Deep‐Sea Vessel for Harvey Gulf
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. announces the launch of the HARVEY DEEP‐SEA, the fourth of its Tiger Shark Class Offshore Support Vessels being constructed for Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC of New Orleans, LA.
The HARVEY DEEP‐SEA was launched on Wednesday December 12th, 2012 after successfully completing all regulatory hull exams. The HARVEY DEEP‐SEA is Eastern’s second Construction Vessel (LCV) for Harvey Gulf. Eastern Shipbuilding Group has constructed 10 vessels for Harvey Gulf International Marine, LLC since 2002.
The HARVEY DEEP SEA is an ABS A1, AMS, ACCU, Circle E, Enviro +, Green Passport (GP), NBLES, CRC, HELIDK Offshore Support Vessel and certified under SOLAS. ABS class includes the ABS DPS‐2 notation and FIFI 2. It is AC Diesel‐Electric powered with twin Schottel Z‐drives and it measures 302’ X 64’ X 24’‐6”. This Multi‐Purpose Construction Vessel (LCV), the HARVEY DEEP‐SEA, will be equipped with an active heave‐compensated, National Oilwell Varco 165‐ton knuckle boom crane capable of lifting/setting 100 tons at depths up to 10,000 ft. The HARVEY DEEP‐SEA is scheduled for final outfitting and delivery in the summer of 2013. This vessel will fill a niche in a very selective market.
At the 33rd annual 2012 International Workboat Show in New Orleans LA, Harvey Gulf International received the Outstanding Environmental Initiative Award. Harvey Gulf International has constructed a series of diesel electric OSV’s at Eastern Shipbuilding Group that meet ABS ENVIRO+, Green Passport (GP) notation requirements.
“These vessels exceed current environmental requirements and follow strict company policies, thus helping to further reduce air and water pollution. The vessels were also constructed with environmentally friendly materials that can be completely recycled or broken down without harm to the environment where possible” commented Bruce Buls, Workboat Magazine’s technical editor and one of the award judges.
Founded in 1955, Harvey Gulf International Marine is a marine transportation company that specializes in towing drilling rigs and providing offshore supply and multi‐purpose support vessels for deepwater operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
Tens of thousands of man‐hours of labor were required to complete this stage of construction. At Wednesday’s launch hundreds of Bay County residents, workers, and their families gathered around to watch the christening and launch at Eastern’s Allanton Facility.
Brian R. D’Isernia, the President/CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group, said Eastern has built over 300 ships using local workers and that has had an important economic impact on the local area.
“The construction of this vessel involved hiring citizens from Panama City, Bay County and Northwest Florida. America can do it. We’re doing it, and in doing so, we’re providing jobs for ourselves, members of our communities, and their families,” said D’Isernia.
On December 10, 2012 Eastern Shipbuilding Group was awarded the Governor’s Top Job Producer Award presented to Brian R. D’Isernia by Florida’s Governor Rick Scott. This award is given annually to the top job producers that are dedicated to Florida’s economic development and job creation efforts.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has two shipbuilding facilities in Panama City, Florida and has been in business since 1976 building, converting and repairing steel and aluminum vessels of all types including tugs, barges, offshore support vessels, research vessels, firefighting vessels, crew vessels, barges, ferries, passenger vessels, fishing vessels and towboats.
Eastern Shipbuilding Group is currently under contract to build fifteen (15) large Diesel Electric Offshore Supply Vessels of its “Tiger Shark” series for customers in the United States and in Brazil. These new contracts will maintain Eastern’s role as one of the largest manufacturers of OSV’s in the United States. In anticipation of upcoming manpower requirements the company has expanded its training programs. Eastern currently has over 1300 employees, and expects to have more than 300 new employees in all shipbuilding trades to fulfill future additional contracts.
Subsea World News – Eastern Shipbuilding Launches Harvey Deep‐Sea Vessel for Harvey Gulf, USA.
USA: Hornbeck Orders Additional Two OSVs from Eastern Shipbuilding
Two Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs) of 310 Class, have been ordered by Hornbeck Offshore Services (HOS) from Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. seated in Panama City, FL, Marinelog writes.
The vessels will be DP-2 classed and incorporate the STX Marine SV 310 design.
With this order Eastern Shipbuilding Group now has 10 vessels under contract with HOS.
Hornbeck Offshore Services, one of the leading providers of Support Vessels for offshore oil and gas industry, primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, recently signed as shipbuilding contract ordering six OSVs from Bollinger Shipyard.
HOS announced construction of two additional OSVs from 320 Class, thus exercising an option for extended order from a previously signed contract, assigned to VT Halter Marine Inc.
World Maritime News – USA: Hornbeck Orders Additional Two OSVs from Eastern Shipbuilding.
- USA: Bollinger Shipyards Secures Contract for Six OSV Conversions (worldmaritimenews.com)
- Bollinger Shipyards Chosen to Stretch Six OSV’s For Hornbeck (gcaptain.com)
ENSCO Orders Drillship with Retractable Thrusters!?
By Rob Almeida On April 6, 2012
At first it looked like just another drillship order.
Samsung Heavy wins a $645 million order to build a DP3 drillship for ENSCO, however buried in the middle of the press release read:
New features on ENSCO DS-8 include retractable thrusters, enhanced safety and environmental features…
Wait…Retractable thrusters?!
I talked to ENSCO yesterday and they noted that this new feature was a Rolls-Royce design, and that by retracting the forward thrusters, it increased the efficiency of the vessel while in transit while also reducing the overall maintenance burden.
Most importantly however, this new feature will help to reduce down time. At an average day rate of over a $500 thousand per day, any investment that can keep these rigs up and working longer is money well spent by the contractor and anyone who’s ever had to switch out a thruster knows that it’s not a snap of the fingers… it takes many costly hours and is, to be quite frank, a pain in the ass.
Besides having retractable thrusters, the ENSCO DS-8 has other unique features such as below-main-deck riser storage, triple fluid systems, offline conditioning capability and enhanced client and third-party facilities.
Storing upwards of 12,000 feet of 21″ heavy gauge steel riser on deck presents a significant vessel stability issue, not to mention all the associated drill pipe and casing. Considering this rig may very well be destined for the arctic and the associated surface area of this pipe, this stability issue could be compounded significantly under ice-loading conditions. Under these circumstances, storing the riser in a cargo hold below the main deck, is likely a smart move.
Consistent with the previous five Samsung ultra-deepwater drillships ordered since 2007, this new drillship is based on the proprietary Samsung GF12000 hull design measuring 755 feet in length and 125 feet in width. It will offer a payload in excess of 22,000 metric tons and a 1,250-ton hoisting system. The rig’s design and capabilities include numerous features that increase operating efficiency. Primary to these capabilities are enhanced and redundant offline tubular stand-building features and a 165-ton active heave compensating construction crane, allowing for the deployment of subsea production equipment without interference with ongoing drilling operations.
The rig, which will be initially outfitted for drilling in water depths of up to 10,000 feet, will be equipped with dynamic positioning in compliance with DPS-3 certification; six-5.5 megawatt thrusters for enhanced station-keeping; expanded drilling fluids capacity; a 15,000-psi subsea well control system with six rams, upgradable to seven rams and/or a second BOP stack; burner boom for well testing; and living quarters for up to 200 personnel.will be built to meet the demands of ultra-deepwater drilling in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and a total vertical drilling depth of 40,000 feet.
Ensco Chairman, President and CEO Dan Rabun said:
An ongoing trend of new deepwater oil and gas discoveries around the globe is creating a high demand for equipment capable of tapping those resources. Our track record of leading safety and deepwater performance increasingly makes us the driller of choice for operators working in complex offshore fields. Our high-grading strategy will ensure that we continue to be equipped to respond to rising customer demand.” The latest EnergyPoint industry survey rates Ensco first in total customer satisfaction among offshore drillers overall and specifically in safety, health and environment performance as well as in deepwater drilling.
This addition to our fleet is in keeping with our strategy of standardization, which streamlines construction, operations, inventory management, training, regulatory compliance, repairs and maintenance,” Mr. Rabun pointed out. “We are very pleased to continue our successful newbuild drillship program with Samsung.
This vessel will be the sixth Samsung DP3 drillship in the Ensco fleet, extending the benefits of Ensco’s fleet standardization strategy. The contract also includes options for two additional drillships of the same design and is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2014.
Ensco’s three active DP3 drillships are currently contracted into 2016 in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and West Africa. A fourth, ENSCO DS-6, is undergoing pre-commissioning modifications in preparation for its first well assignment under a five-year contract with BP. ENSCO DS-7 is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2013.
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China: Fujian Southeast Shipyard Hands Over Subsea-Support Vessel VOS Shine to Vroon
On March 28th 2012, Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) took delivery of VOS Shine. The vessel was delivered from Fujian Southeast Shipyard in China and is the first of two subsea-support vessels (SSV) to be built at the Shipyard for VOS.
VOS Shine is a modern SSV with DP2-class notation and four-point mooring capabilities. The vessel has an extended moon pool, accommodation for 50, dual V-Sat dome with client and crew network, as well as satellite television. She is suitable for remotely-operated vehicle (ROV)/survey and construction diving jobs and will be commercially available in Europe from June.
The vessel will leave the Shipyard in the coming days and will be operated by Vroon Offshore Services B.V. in Den Helder.
VESSEL PARTICULARS
Length o.a 59.25 m
Beam 14.95 m
DP Class Class 2, ABS
Accommodation Total of 50
Cranes
Main crane: SWL – 24mt SWL @ 8m, 6mt @ 19m max. outreach
Service crane: PS – SW – 3mt x 9m outreach
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South Korea: SHI to Build Seventh UDW Drillship for Pacific Drilling
Pacific Drilling S.A. via its wholly-owned subsidiary last week exercised an option to construct its seventh ultra-deepwater drillship with Samsung Heavy Industries.
“We are very pleased to announce the order of our seventh ultra-deepwater drillship,” stated Pacific Drilling CEO Chris Beckett. “The current strength we see in the market for ultra-deepwater rigs well into 2014 led us to act on this opportunity to order a rig with very favorable delivery timing.”
The drillship will have a rated water depth of 12,000 feet, be equipped for 40,000 feet drilling depth, have accommodation for 200 personnel and be equipped to support dual gradient drilling. The total cost, excluding capitalized interest, will be approximately $600 million and delivery is scheduled for May 2014.
Financing for the construction of this rig is expected to be provided by a combination of the company’s recent bond offering, cash flows from ongoing operations and long-term debt.
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Rosatomflot to Construct World’s Largest Nuclear Icebreaker
Rosatomflot has revealed its plans to construct an LK60, the largest and most powerful nuclear icebreaker ever built, that will be deployed in the Northern Sea Route. Vyacheslav Ruksha, General Director of Rosatomflot, says to BarentsObserver.com that the estimated cost for a new icebreaker is € 1.1 billion (approx $ 1.4 billion) and is already included in Rosatomflots’s 2012 budget.
The tender for a new icebreaker will be announced this summer and the construction contract will probably be signed in September. If everything goes according to plan, the construction will commence by the end of 2012 and the newbuild might be ready for traffic by 2018.
Russia is the major player in deploying nuclear icebreakers for shipping in the Arctic and other freezing seas. The company wants to develop its fleet that would be a key element of the Northern Sea Route infrastructure thus the new generation nuclear icebreaker is being designed.
The LK60 icebreaker is designed to maneuver through three meters of ice with its supreme power of 60 MW. This is exactly what Rosatomflot needs to open the Northern Sea Route for commercial traffic all year around. Her draught varies ranging from 8.5 m to 10.8 m. The new design features maximum width of 34 meters, compared to the maximum of 30 meters width at the Arktika class vessels. Such a design will be capable of providing support to larger tankers through the northern sea route.
The LK60 icebreaker will replace one icebreaker of the Arktika class and one icebreaker of Taimyr class.
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