Marine Projects Vessel News Roundup | April 26 – Chinese installation vessels, UK-built unmanned survey craft and more

An inland waterway maintenance workboat enters service with the US Army Corps of Engineers while a large dredger for a Texas-based operator is nearing completion. A UK survey company places orders for three compact unmanned craft. Finally, construction is underway on four offshore renewables construction support vessels at two shipyards in China.

US Army Corps of Engineers takes delivery of river maintenance boat

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently took delivery of a new river maintenance workboat from Alabama-based boatbuilder Silver Ships.

The 40-foot (12-metre) Dashields will support the USACE Pittsburgh District’s mission of improving navigable waterways and water infrastructure. This delivery is the second in a series of three workboats ordered by the Pittsburgh District.

The custom-built vessel is powered by twin 350hp (260kW) Suzuki outboard motors that give the vessel enhanced manoeuvring capabilities for working in tight spaces. Other features include a walkaround cabin, Furuno navigation and radar systems, a Westerbeke 20kW generator, Maxilift cranes, and an A-frame.

Silver Ships said the workboat will support maintenance efforts of navigation locks and dams as well as buoy tendering operations.

New offshore wind installation platform launched in China

China’s Taizhou Port Shipbuilding has launched a new DP-capable platform optimised for installation works in support of the offshore wind industry.

Huaxia Jinzu Shenda 01 is being built for Chinese company Huaxia Financial Leasing. Once completed, the platform will measure 106 by 44.2 metres and will have a heavy-duty crane with a lifting capacity of 1,200 tonnes.

Design and construction were done in compliance to China Classification Society rules.

Callan Marine’s newest large CSD hits the water

DSC Dredge of Reserve, Louisiana, has floated out a new large cutter suction dredger (CSD) ordered by Texas-based marine projects company Callan Marine.

General Marshall measures 194 by 41 feet (59 by 12.4 metres) and will be equipped with an 18-inch (457mm) dredge pipe and a 300hp (223kW) cutter. A total installed power of more than 3,000 hp (2,237 kW) will enable the dredger to operate in depths of up to 60 feet (18 metres).

The CSD is the second to be built for Callan Marine by the same shipyard.

UK’s MSeis acquires survey USV trio

UK-based marine survey support provider MSeis has placed an order for three unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in a series from compatriot company HydroSurv Unmanned Survey.

The craft are optimised for inland and sheltered water environments.

Each USV measures only 1.58 by 1.17 metres and is two-person portable. A symmetrically hulled catamaran design provides enhanced buoyancy, enabling the craft to carry a variety of instruments including multibeam, single-beam and side-scan sonar, acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs), and LIDAR.

Chinese yard launches three renewables construction ships for local owner

China’s Zhenhua Heavy Industry recently launched three offshore construction vessels ordered by local conglomerate China Communications Construction Company.

Floated out were the 4,000-tonne crane vessel Haifeng 2001 and the jackup installation vessels Haifeng 1002 and Haifeng 1001.

All three newbuildings will be deployed in support of the offshore renewables market.