New pipe layer is a heavy lifter
Lifting capacity is critical for the new generation of pipelay vessels and will be well considered in the design office of Netherlands based Ulstein Sea of Solutions, which has been awarded the Basic Design contract for the new large derrick pipelay vessel DLS-4200.
Client National Petroleum Construction Company Ltd (NPCC) of Abu Dhabi’s new vessel will be one of the biggest vessels of its kind, combining S-lay double joints pipelay operations with 4,200 short tons of lifting capacity.
The design of the vessel is a modified version of the SOC 3000 design of Ulstein Sea of Solutions (USOS) and will be equipped with an Amclyde Model 80 crane which is capable of lifting 4,200 short tons at a 125ft radius over the stern in tie-back mode and 4,200 short tons at 95ft without tie-back. In full revolving mode the crane is able to lift 2,950 short tons with an outreach of 135ft.
DLS-4200 is designed to operate worldwide, but will initially be equipped with a mooring system to operate in the Arabian Gulf and India. However, a future DP2 upgrade is envisaged and catered for in the design to minimise the technical impact in the future.
‘We are pleased to be awarded this Basic Design contract by NPCC as it is the result of a careful evaluation by NPCC to renew and expand their fleet to operate outside their traditional market’, said Bob Rietveldt, managing director at Ulstein Sea of Solutions.
The vessel features two fixed pitch shaft driven main propellers of 5,500 kW each which will allow for a sailing speed of 12 to 13 knots. For future DP upgrade, five retractable azimuth thrusters of 3,500 kW each are required.
The 196.9m LOA vessel features a 43.4m moulded beam, a moulded depth of 19.6m and a design draught of 6 to 9m.
