Colombo Dockyard secures contracts for two more multipurpose vessels

Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) secured contracts for the construction of two 78 m Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels (MPSV) with a 3600 deadweight capacity for the Greatship Global Offshore Services Pvt Limited of Singapore at an undisclosed price.

Colombo Dockyard Chairman Akihiko Nakauchi (left) and Managing Director and CEO Mangala P. B. Yapa at the signing ceremony with Singapore firm via video conference

Greatship Global Offshore Services Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore incorporated subsidiary of Greatship (India) Limited (GIL), which is a subsidiary of The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited. These MPSVs are due for delivery in Q4 FY 12 & Q1 FY 13, respectively.

Colombo Dockyard, having built two MPSVs to similar design (STS 909), worked in collaborative consultation with the Owners and Designer Seatech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd of Singapore to incorporate an oil recovery arrangement, meeting the emerging needs of the industry and Owners, in the same design making it a unique vessel, where a platform supply vessel has been designed to perform oil recovery functions as well.  

These vessels are designed for operating as advanced PSVs as well as light construction support vessels, complying to SPS Code 2008 and Clean Design requirements of LRS, DP2, Fire Fighting Capability, Oil Recovery Capability, Capability to support ROV operations and are prepared for 50T Active Heave Compensated crane, A-frame and heli-deck.

The main role of this vessel is to support offshore oil and gas fields around the clock and it will have an endurance of 35 days and a cruising range of about 9,200 nautical miles. Designed for operation worldwide and with an outstanding speed of 13.8 knots, the vessel can get to the desired location around the world as quickly as possible, minimizing downtime.

The vessel, built for operation in unrestricted waters, is capable of undertaking multi-purpose roles such as oil recovery, transportation of pipes, fresh water, diesel, methanol, bulk cement, stores, equipment, deck cargo, transfer of materials between platforms and shore.

Twin controllable pitch propellers, twin high lift rudders and transverse bow and stern thrusters provide good manoeuvrability and station keeping ability. The vessel is controlled from twin maneuvering consoles fitted in the wheelhouse, forward and aft stations with ‘joy-stick’ controls.

The vessel will also be equipped with advanced dynamic positioning (DP AA) system which assures safe and more efficient operations while working in close proximity to oil platforms/ rigs, even under the harsh weather conditions.

Being equipped with a fully automated bridge layout with alarm monitoring systems for periodic single man bridge operation, the vessel is classed with “NAV1” notation.  The vessel is fitted with automated installations enabling machinery spaces to remain periodically unattended in all sailing conditions including maneuverings, qualifying it to be assigned with “UMS” notation The vessel is designed to have an enhanced accommodation area for 50 persons. These accommodation areas are well-appointed and are aesthetically designed with special attention being made to noise and vibration levels and crew comfort onboard the vessel, thereby meeting compliance to ‘CAC3’ notation of the classification society.

The vessel is also classed with “In Water Survey” denoting the vessel could be operated without being dry-docked for five years.  Due to this, surveying the underwater parts of the vessel could be carried out while the vessel is still afloat instead of having to dry dock the vessel for examination of the underwater areas, as is conventionally done. This is a huge saving for the owner.

In addition, the vessel is also equipped with Tail Shaft monitoring system (SCM) which is a huge advantage for the owner in his quest for monitoring of temperature and condition in the tail shafts.  

In addition to the dry bulk carrying capability, the vessel is also capable of carrying methanol, which is a low flash point liquid. In order to prevent any fire risks, a special deck foam fire fighting and prevention system has been installed for safety.  The vessel shall be designed, constructed and outfitted complying with the latest rules and regulations applicable to a vessel of this type and size. The plan approval and survey during construction will be performed Lloyds Register and the Indian Register of Shipping.