VESSEL REVIEW | Shen Da Hao – Chinese pipelaying vessel with secondary dive support and salvage capabilities
Chinese shipowner COES Shanghai Salvage has taken delivery of a new pipelaying vessel built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary the Wuchuan Group.
With a high-capacity laying system, 800-tonne active heave compensated crane, a DP3 system and ice class notation/winterisation, Shen Da Hao (深达号) is suitable for ultra-deepwater field development projects and high-rate flexible product and umbilical laying, as well as reel laying in harsh environments.
The vessel has a length of 184.1 metres (604 feet), a beam of 33 metres (110 feet), a maximum draught of 8.8 metres (29 feet), a main deck area of 1,800 square metres (19,000 square feet), and accommodation for up to 180 personnel.
The propulsion arrangement of six 4,630kW generators drives two azimuthing thrusters to deliver a top speed of 15 knots, a cruising speed of 12 knots, and a range of more than 10,000 nautical miles, which translates into a maximum endurance of 60 days. Additional lateral manoeuvrability will be provided by two 3,100kW tunnel thrusters and two 3,100kW retractable thrusters.
Significant pipe and cable installation capacities
An NOV 800-tonne active heave-compensated, knuckle boom offshore crane will be used for pipelaying while a 600-tonne hang-off clamp will allow the vessel to perform floating production, storage and offloading vessel hook-ups. A smaller MacGregor auxiliary knuckle boom crane with an SWL of 50 tonnes at 30 metres (100 feet) is also fitted.
The vessel boasts reel and cable carousel storage capacities of 4,000 tonnes and 5,000 tonnes, respectively. The reel will be used to stow rigid pipe while the carousel will be reserved for flexible and umbilical products. The vertical lay system consists of a 550-tonne tower and two 275-tonne tensioners.
Compatible with a complete saturation diving spread
The vessel can easily be configured into a diving vessel with a 500-metre (1,600-foot) mobile saturation diving unit with two bells for up to 24 divers, since it was originally designed to serve as such. It is also equipped to perform piggyback laying with an optional reel as well as rescue and salvage operations.
Space is available for a flight deck for a 12-tonne helicopter and two work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) rated to operate at a depth of 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). Dedicated launch and recovery systems for the ROVs are fitted on the aft portside deck and a hangar located amidships.
The accommodation spaces meanwhile include 58 single cabins, 58 double cabins, six state cabins, multiple mess areas, and a galley.
Shen Da Hao was designed by Shanghai Jiahao Shipbuilding Engineering Research and Design in compliance with both DNV and China Classification Society rules. Sailing under the Chinese flag, the vessel will initially be operated under charter by Italian installation specialist Saipem.
