On 1 June, Ulstein signed a contract for the delivery of a high capacity subsea construction vessel of the SX121 design to GC Rieber Shipping, with an option for a second vessel. The newbuilding will be delivered in the first quarter of 2014 and has a value of approximately NOK800 million.

“GC Rieber Shipping is a solid and experienced shipowner, and we are pleased that they have chosen Ulstein for this project. Subsea is one of our focus areas, and we will deliver a state-of-the-art offshore construction vessel (OCV) that will serve the shipowner well in the years to come,” states Gunvor Ulstein, CEO in Ulstein Group.

“We are very happy to award this contract to a Norwegian shipyard,’ says CEO in GC Rieber Shipping, Irene W. Basili, and continues: “Norway is world-leading when it comes to design and quality of specialised offshore vessels. GC Rieber Shipping is deliberate in its efforts in the most demanding areas of the offshore market, and I am confident that we will get a top class vessel from Ulstein.”

Managing director in Ulstein Verft, Karsten Sævik, is pleased with the contract: “Ulstein has built for GC Rieber Shipping before, and we are happy that they have chosen Ulstein again,” he states. “Our organisation has broad expertise in developing this type of vessel together with customers, so this project suits us perfectly. We are looking forward to cooperating with GC Rieber Shipping and to deliver a high quality ship according to contract.”

The ship of SX121 design from Ulstein is equipped with a dynamic positioning system of the highest class (DP3).

The subsea construction vessel is 130 metres long with 25 metres across her beam and a top speed of 14.5 knots. She will be equipped with a large active heave compensated offshore crane with 250 ton capacity at 14 metres outreach and with the winch placed below deck. The crane will mainly be used for lifting and lowering heavy equipment from and to the sea bottom.

The vessel will carry two ROVs; one is to be launched from the starboard side and the other through a moonpool.

The ship has a large cargo deck for OCV work. She will have diesel electric propulsion and three main azimuth thrusters. The vessel can accommodate 130 persons and will be constructed in accordance with the latest international environmental regulations.

The vessel will be prepared for a VLS tower (vertical lay system) and a 2,500 ton rotating carousel below deck, to be used for future pipe laying operations. For that reason, the vessel is also equipped with two moonpools, one for future VLS and one for launching the ROV.