Marine Log - April 2008 - (Page 18)

OFFSHORESERVICE Ten of Bourbon’s new Inspection, Maintenance and Repair vessels will be built in China ICE CLASS TANKERS Currently, Bourbon has eleven of these vessels. And it is adding ten newbuild GPA 696 design IMR vessels worth a total 450 million euros. They will be built in series by China’s Sinopacific Shipyards at the Zhejiang site and will gradually be added to strengthen the existing fleet. BUILD UP Bourbon is not alone in adding substantially to its fleet. Galliano, La.-based Edison Chouest Offshore last year added newbuilds to the fleet that included two supply vessels, two anchor handlers, four tractor tugs, two self-elevating liftboats, two special purpose vessels and three supply vessels for the Brazilian market. Interestingly, the two 288 ft anchor handlers are the first to be added to the Chouest fleet since the Laney Chouest in 2003. Although Chouest does sometimes order from outside yards (the two liftboats came from Bollinger) it has historically preferred to build in house and is continuing to grow its shipbuilding capabilities—which is another indicator it plans to continue to expand its fleeet. Last month it was announced that the state of Louisiana will invest $10 million to support expansion of Chouest’s LAShip yard in the Port of Terrebonne to build ships above 350 ft long needed to meet the demands of deepwater. Outside the U.S., Chouest’s Navship in Navegantes, Brazil continues to grow and expand. Phase three of its expansion is drawing to a close with completion of the erection building, shops, warehouses and two additional assembly buildings. A new phase, which includes a system to roll out and launch vessels has begun. The workforce continues to expand as well, with over 750 full time employees. Recent deliveries include the Campos Commander, Hull 105. The Campos Challenger, Hull 107, conducted its sea trials in February with the Campos Carrier, Hull 102, scheduled for trials in March. Hull 109, to be christened the Blue Marlin, has been contracted to BJ Services, and will be converted to a frac vessel (that’s frac as in factioning—subsea operation). The scheduled delivery date is in July. Newest member of the Chouest family of companies is C-Innovation, which procures, installs and operates subsea remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). The ROVs, are built to C-Innovation specifications by Schilling Robotics of Davis, Calif. The C-Express, a 240 ft OSV, received the first C-I UHD (Ultra Heavy Duty) ROV and a total of 12 Chouest vessels will be fitted with ROV’s by year's end. The C-Innovation UHD ROV units feature a five-function grabber arm on the Two Clean Design UT 788 OSV’s for China Oilfield Services Rolls-Royce has won a £58 million contract to deliver design and equipment systems for two of the world’s most advanced offshore support vessels – a first for the Chinese market. The vessels have been ordered by China Oilfield Services Ltd (COSL) and will operate in support of oil and gas exploration and production. Anders Almestad, President, Offshore, from the Rolls-Royce marine business, said: “This contract is a major breakthrough for Rolls-Royce integrated systems for the Chinese offshore market. The integrated solution designed by RollsRoyce for COSL is the first of its kind in the growing Chinese offshore market. We believe that our products and services will help COSL improve their deepwater capabilities.” The Rolls-Royce designed UT 788 CD ships have many capabilities including the ability to operate in very deep water, towing, and supplying and supporting oil and gas rigs. They can even assist in underwater construction projects. The UT 788s will be fitted with a hybrid propulsion system to cut fuel consumption and reduce emissions. Only the engines necessary for work operation will be run, and then only at an efficient rating. Rolls-Royce has a growing presence in China’s marine market, which is the biggest in the world for commercial merchant ships. Rolls-Royce has been The two UT 788’s for China Oilfield Services will have diesel-electric propulsion increasing its marine business in China annually over recent years and opened a new factory in Shanghai in 2005. Together with an existing facility in South Korea, the new factory forms a production hub for North-East Asia. In 2007, Rolls-Royce achieved a record for marine orders in China, with contracts for more than 700 ship sets of steering gear and 300 ship sets of deck machinery, including a $42 million contract with Sinopacific. 18 MARINE LOG APRIL 2008 www.marinelog.com http://www.marinelog.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Marine Log - April 2008

Marine Log - April 2008 Contents Editorial Second Thoughts Update Inside Washington Offshore Vessels Evolve to Meet Subsea Demands Picking the Right Floaters for Deepwater Tugs: The Good Times Roll, But for How Long? Interactive TV at Sea Jo-Kell's Suzan Kelly Tugs & Barges Exhibitors Preview Beyond Imagination Tech News Newsmakers Contracts Events Website Directory Infodirect ML Marketplace Last Page

Marine Log - April 2008

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