August 4 - OOS International Group has signed a contract with China Merchant Heavy Industries (CMHI) for the construction of two newbuild semi-submersible crane vessels.
The two vessels - OOS Serooskerke and OOS Walcheren - will each be equipped with two heavy lift cranes, with a tandem lifting capacity of 4,400 tonnes.
The cranes, which will be provided by Huisman Equipment, can be utilised for the decommissioning of subsea structures, foundations, moorings, floating and heavy lift platforms for offshore wind structures in deep water, said OOS.
CMHI has awarded Kongsberg Maritime the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the two semi-submersible ships, which are currently under construction in Haimen, China.
Kongsberg Maritime and its wholly owned subsidiary Kongsberg Maritime Engineering (KME) will provide all engineering, procurement and project management services for the two vessels.
Due to their heavy lift capability, Kongsberg says that the vessels are well positioned to enter the decommissioning market of offshore production platforms worldwide.
The engineering and construction phase of the first ship is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2019, while the second vessel is expected to be complete in the third quarter of 2019.
