Yantai Raffles Shipyard wins $78m contract

Yantai Raffles Shipyard Limited has been awarded a contract to construct a flexible fall pipe bulk carrier worth approximately US$78 million by Dutch Dredging, Offshore and Marine Construction company Van Oord.

The vessel will measure 175m long, with a 26m beam and an operation draught of 10.67m, and be built to the standards of American Bureau of Shipping Classification and Bureau Veritas.

The Vessel has been designed as a bulk carrier which can alternatively be operated as a DP flexible fall pipe vessel to carry out sub sea rock installation works. These sub sea rock installation works include the stabilization, protection and covering of cables, pipes and flow lines, free span correction, upheaval buckling prevention and filling up holes around platforms, structures and rigs. Other operations include seabed preparation prior to pipe laying, construction of underwater berms, thermal insulation of offshore oil pipelines, protection against anchors and fishing operations and ballasting of platforms, structures and loading buoys.

As one of the largest of her kind in the world, the Vessel will register a deadweight of approx. 30,000 metric tonnes and a loading capacity of approximately 28,000 metric tonnes. The fall pipe will measure 1.1 meter in diameter and can be operated with a maximum working depth of about 2000m. The Vessel will have accommodation facilities for up to 52 persons.

The rock placing will be carried out through a central moon pool via a Van Oord patented flexible fall pipe system. At the lower end of the fall pipe system a powerful
cylindrical shaped Remotely Operated Vehicle (“ROV”) is attached. This ROV, will be equipped with state-of-the-art survey equipment such as subsurface positioning, sonar sensors, cameras and monitoring equipment, which will allow highly accurate placing of rock material.

Upon completion in the fourth quarter 2008, the vessel will start its operations in the European waters, but will be suitable for worldwide operations.

In a statement made by Mr Brian Chang, the Group’s Chairman, it said “Having been awarded this contract has proved to be yet another milestone for YRS. As the
offshore business continues to ride on an upswing, we will open up more of our capabilities and take on an even larger market share. We thank Van Oord for the trust and confidence that they have in us and we hope to maintain a long working relationship.”