August 28 - Lloyd's Register (LR) secured the contract to classify the world's largest heavy lift crane vessel (NSCV), under development by Netherlands headquartered Heerema Group.
The semi-submersible vessel will be equipped with two tub-mounted 10,000 tonne capacity cranes from Huisman. The dual-fuel LNG and MGO vessel is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2018, and will be used in the installation and decommissioning of offshore facilities. It will also come equipped with dynamic positioning capabilities in excess of the DP (AAA) standard. The vessel will be built at Sembcorp's 'Mega Yard' in Singapore.
In total, the NSCV project will cost in the region of USD1 billion, says LR. Compliance with a range of coastal state requirements including Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA), UK and USCG regulations means it will be capable of deep and ultra-deep sea operations on a global scale.
Jan-Pieter Klaver, ceo of Heerema Marine Contractors, said: "Our contract with Jurong Shipyard represents the next critical step in our plans to introduce the NSCV to the market. The fact that we decided to press on with our plans in these times of low oil prices, shows our belief in the offshore oil and gas industry and demonstrates our continued commitment to offer unparalleled installation services to the industry."
Piet Mast, LR's marine area manager for South Asia, said that this as the next step in a long-running partnership between the Heerema Group and LR. "The Heerema Group is demonstrating its commitment to the marine and offshore industry. With the opening of LR's new Global Technology Centre in Southampton this complex project is a good fit for LR and is an exciting challenge for the LR team in Singapore who are supported by a range of LR global experts."
