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Weblog November 2010
Super Vessel to Create New Wave of Business Opportunities
We have been hard at work this year to become the contractor of choice in the Heavy Marine Transport, Transport & Installation, and Logistical Management industries. Our recent successes include the first phase of the Vyborg Project, which involved the transport and float-over of a 15,000 metric ton semi-submersible hull, and a 19,000 metric ton topside.
In addition, for the Koniambo Project, we provided the safe transport, engineering, and logistical management of fifteen onshore modules across the Pacific to New Caledonia, where they were transported inland and assembled to form the Koniambo Nickel Plant.
2010 has been a year filled with distinct challenges, as well as unique opportunities. In the wake of a slow market recovery, we continue to navigate through a tough, competitive market, while steering full steam ahead towards a horizon filled with new business opportunities.
Current trends for upcoming projects in the Oil & Gas industry indicate that there is a need for a new, larger vessel that can handle deeper waters, harsher environments, and heavier cargoes. As the market leader in the Heavy Marine Transport industry, we are proud to introduce an innovative solution to tomorrow’s challenging transport needs: We are building a new super semi-submersible vessel, with a deck size of 275 x 70 meters, a revolutionary bowless design, and a capacity of up to 100,000 metric tons.
The developments in deeper water show a clear trend towards larger structures, be it semi-submersible drilling or production platforms, TLP’s, SPAR Buoy structures or FPSO’s. This new vessel will be larger than the Blue Marlin and a first for the maritime transport industry. Our business rationale for proposing this new build vessel is based on current trends for upcoming projects in the Oil & Gas industry, which indicate that there is a need for this type of larger vessel:
- Exploration and production is shifting from more shallow waters in traditional areas to extremely deepwater and more remote areas.
- Industry demand is for larger, heavier equipment, which can be built as a completed integrated unit. In the past, Dockwise has transported only hull structures, while topside structures were built locally (Thunderhorse). For the yards in the Far East, this vessel will offer new competitive possibilities.
- From our experience, we know that these large structures are built mostly in the low cost environment in the Far East, while the use for these structures is in West Africa, the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil.
We are proud to be able to take this historic step in the development and the shaping of Dockwise’s future.There is no self-propelled vessel of this size in the market and our decision to build this innovative new vessel underlines our vision towards the future, and once again confirms our position as leader in the Heavy Marine Transport industry.
André Goedée
Chief Executive Officer
