VESSEL REVIEW | Guohai Minyao – Durable supply vessel for Sinoocean’s offshore maintenance activities

China Oilfield Services (COSL), a company under China’s the Sinoocean Group, has taken delivery of a new platform supply vessel (PSV) from China Shipbuilding Industry Company (CSIC) affiliate the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group.

The DNV- and CCS-classed Guohai Minyao has a length of 83.4 metres, a beam of 18 metres, a full load draught of 6.7 metres, and single-berth and double-berth accommodations for up to 30 people. The spacious aft deck has a total area of 850 square metres, allowing for the transport of an array of supplies and equipment totalling approximately 4,000 tonnes.

The propulsion system includes four Caterpillar main engines – two 3512C 1,550kW units and two C32 940kW units – driving a pair of azimuthing thrusters at the stern, and this arrangement delivers a maximum speed of 14.5 knots and a cruising speed of between 10 and 13 knots. Emergency power will be supplied by a 180kW generator while two 880kW tunnel thrusters at the bow provided added manoeuvrability.

The PSV features a prominent inverted bow that eliminates slamming and reduces impact, noise, and vibration. This leads to better performance and increased operability, increased crew comfort and safety, and reduced fuel consumption.

The electronics suite consists of a GPS and echosounder from Furuno, radios and satcom from Sailor, a John Lilley and Gillie Marine magnetic compass, and two ECDIS from Raytheon. Also fitted are a Kongsberg Maritime DP2 system, equipment for firefighting and oil recovery, and four 30-person liferafts.

The vessel was also designed to carry flexible loads. In addition to tanks for various contents such as oil, water, and drilling fluids, it has four stainless steel tanks for storing flammable liquids or corrosive chemicals.

Guohai Minyao is the final one in a series of four PSVs, all of which are now operating under the COSL banner.

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