AUSTRALIAN shipbuilder Incat Crowther has been tasked with designing a fleet of fast support intervention vessels for operations in the Middle East.
Singaporean shipbuilder Lita Ocean commissioned the designs from Incat Crowther for Zamil Offshore in Saudi Arabia.
The three new ABS-classed monohull FSIVs would be 60 metres long and help Zamil Offshore transport cargo, heavy maintenance equipment and personnel for Saudi Aramco’s Middle East operations.
“By working closely with our valued partners at Lita Ocean, these vessels will provide Zamil Offshore state-of-the-art, low-draft FSIVs that are truly tailored to their operational requirements,” Incat Crowther US managing director Grant Pecoraro said.
“The design of these vessels offers an excellent combination of operational efficiency, seakeeping capability, manoeuvrability, and stability,” he said.
Yeo Yingda of Lita Ocean said Incat Crowther was the “natural partner” for the design and development of the new FSIVs.
“Lita Ocean has enjoyed partnering with Incat Crowther to deliver truly tailored and operationally efficient vessels to operators throughout Asia and the Middle East,” he said.
“We are pleased to tap into Incat Crowther’s vast experience with large FSIVs.”
The vessels will be designed to comply with the latest MCVSR requirements from Saudi Aramco, including ABS SMART and IDM-A notations.
They will be powered by four MTU 16V4000 diesel engines coupled to ZF gearboxes driving Hamilton HT810 Waterjets, providing a full load service speed of 25 knots.
Manoeuvrability of the DP2-certified vessels is enhanced by three Hydromaster tunnel bow thrusters, allowing safe docking and unloading of cargo and personnel.
The vessels’ main deck will have a 250 square-metre aft cargo deck and a climate-controlled forward cabin featuring business-class seating for 60 service personnel, as well as three bathrooms, an office, snack bar and medical bay.
The vessels’ 18 crew would be housed on the hull deck which offers four two-berth dorms, two four-bed dorms and two single-bed dorms.
The hull deck also includes a pantry, mess, three bathrooms and laundry.
Testing of the first vessel is expected to take place in 2024, with the final vessel delivered in 2025.
