New Fassmer survey ship bound for Saudi

The Berne-based specialist built the 43.7m long and 9.8m wide Sultan, with a design draft of 2.8m, in just 14 months. It was the fourth survey ship ordered by Fugro with the yard since 2010. In this case Fugro told Maritime Journal the ship was not “in the end” built for the Dutch-based concern and that Fugro “will not be operating” it.

Fassmer explained in a statement that Sultan was “delivered to Fugro fully equipped and on schedule” and would “ultimately be owned and operated” by the General Commission for Survey (GCS) of Saudi Arabia.

It was not reported when the Saudis would take the ship but in the light of the Fugro’s comment, an early handover of the completed ship appeared likely. Fassmer said that after it had been handed over, Sultan would mainly carry out hydrographic and oceanographic surveys out of its new home port of Jeddah.

The new ship is a FOSCV 40 offshore coastal survey vessel for hydrographic and geo-technical work and packed with sophisticated survey systems and equipment integrated in modular form into what Fassmer described as “an efficient and flexible ship” of only 497GRT.

Sultan can operate worldwide and accommodate 24 crew, scientists or guests. It is powered by two MAN D2876 LE 403 main diesels each of 331 KW /1800rpm. It also has two MAN D2866 LXE30 auxiliary engines of 244kW/1500rpm on board. Two Schottel STP200 rudder propellers drive the ship and provide 11.3 knots and “high efficiency and maneuverability”. Sultan also boasts a Schottel STT60FP bow thruster of 100kW.

The latest Fugro newbuilding has a wide operational capability. Fassmer said a range of auxiliary winches and equipment can be arranged on the work deck in flexible configurations and within short mobilisation periods. Sultan boasts a moveable A-frame and deck-held davit systems, a Palfinger PK 50002 SWL crane and two survey launches for shallow water operations as well as special winches.

Hull and superstructure are of steel and the wheelhouse is of aluminium, the yard reported.

Fassmer also said Sultan was “a slightly modified version” of the 41.5m offshore survey coastal vessel Fugro Helmert, which was delivered in 2013. The other ships already built and delivered to Fugro in 2010 and 2011, were the 65.2m long sister survey vessels Fugro Searcher and Fugro Galaxy.

Fugro said those ships have been part of an ongoing global programme to replace older tonnage. According to Fassmer the yard it is building another 13 knot offshore survey newbuilding for Fugro in the Netherlands for delivery in the second quarter of 2016.

By Tom Todd