Two special Norwegian workboats ordered for 2025

If awards were presented for the internal and external aesthetics of a commercial workboat, the builder’s FMV54 class, described as “Norway’s roughest construction vessel”, would be a strong contender to take the crown.

Workboats of course have to do what they say on the label and for their operational life will perform in what will invariably be a tough working environment, gathering the usual scratches and bumps along the way, inevitable in situations often closer to other (and perhaps larger) vessels and structures than normal.

Norwegian shipyards are well known for their attention to design detail and appearance, particularly in the offshore support and fishing vessel sectors. This is partly driven by the desire to attract the best crews and those manning FDA Mimmi and its successors will doubtless be satisfied with the standard of living arrangements they find on board these vessels.

Following delivery of FDA Mimmi earlier in 2023, FMV announced that the client had ordered two newly developed designs bearing the designation FMV W27M, “Bjarkøyklassen” class. They will have an environmental focus, including battery packs of approximately 1,450kWh, and main dimensions of 26.4m length and 12.5m breadth.

“In the development phase, emphasis has been placed on the vessels being able to solve a wide range of tasks, including maritime contractor activities,” says FMV. “They are also prepared for the installation of blow moulding systems.”

The vessels, yard numbers FMV58 and FMV59, will be delivered in April and August 2025.

FDA Mimmi

While further detail of the new pair will hopefully be forthcoming it is worth a look in detail at FDA Mimmi and indeed lift the lid on a workboat that while not being produced in the volumes that other European yards are known for, makes for an interesting comparison. The specifications are sourced from FDA’s website.

Registered in Tromsø, Norway and built to DNV class rules FDA Mimmi is of steel construction and of a conventional accommodation/wheelhouse forward layout with basic dimensions of 34m LOA on a moulded breadth of 12.6m and a gross tonnage of 497t. Capacities include approximately 60m³ of fuel, 15m³ of fresh water and 200m³ of water ballast. It has a cargo deck area of approximately 210m³.

The vessel is powered by a six-cylinder Yanmar 6EY22AW main engine developing 1,370kW/1,863hp at 900rpm driving a single controllable-pitch Finnøy Ø3000mm propeller.

Auxiliary machinery includes a Caterpillar C32-SR5 950 ekW generator and a 940kW Caterpillar auxiliary harbour set. The vessel is equipped for shore current connection via a 35m, 230/400V, 50Hz cable.

FDA Mimmi is described as a hybrid vessel and has a 1,444kW battery pack integrated with ESS, IAS and PMS. Manoeuvrability is enhanced with a 300kW electric thruster aft and 350kW example forward, both supplied by Schottel. Performance figures include a sustained bollard pull of 40-45 tons and maximum speed 12kn.

Norway’s SHM supplies two work winches, an 80t model with capacity for 4,800m of 40mm wire and a 40t model holding 2,750m, also of 40mm wire. The winches are electrically connected to the battery pack and generate electricity for the batteries in certain modes. SHM also supplies three 5t tugger winches.

FDA Mimmi is particularly well equipped, with deck cranes comprising two Palfinger PK150000, 105t/m examples along with a PFM 4500, 330t/m model, all aft of the accommodation. A 1,000mm stern roller and SHM-supplied sharks jaws and rope pins are also included.

Specialist equipment of note includes an Argus Mariner Mk2 ROV in its own starboard side garage, the launch and recovery system capable of operation in rough conditions with Kongsberg supplying the positioning system, including communication with a Kongsberg Hugin AUV for mapping.

Other equipment includes an electric high pressure hot water pressure washing system, a single monitor Jason fire-fighting system and five underwater lights with two cameras on the stern.

The wheelhouse fit is as to be expected: extensive with main equipment supplied by Furuno, Jotron, Richie, Simrad and Kongsberg.

The fit-out of the accommodation, including the wheelhouse, can be described visually as palatial, and includes five single cabins and one double cabin, all en-suite and located on the main deck.