A platform supply vessel owned by Dubai-based OSV owner and marine logistics firm Topaz Energy and Marine will undergo a condition-based survey in a pioneering pilot project that could serve as a model for the future of class
Topaz Energy is collaborating with class society ABS and the State Maritime Agency under the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASMA) in a project, marking a significant step in transforming the maintenance of the Dubai owner’s fleet to a condition-based class model. Topaz’s platform supply vessel (PSV) Caspian Voyager has been entered into the Extended Dry-Docking (EDD) scheme, acting as a bridge for this transition.
Built in Selah Shipyard Tuzla, Turkey, in 2012, Caspian Voyager has a length overall of 79.5 m, beam of 16.8 m, depth of 7.4 m, and draught of 6 m, with dynamic positioning class 2 capability and a deck area of 820 m2. The PSV is based on an MMC 879 CP design from Poland’s MMC Ship Design & Marine Consulting Ltd.
The programme will extend the vessel’s maximum drydocking period from 5 to 7.5 years, allowing the PSV to undergo in-water surveys, resulting in higher availability and productivity.
“This solution compliments Topaz’s digital efforts in targeting critical areas for repair, prioritising maintenance requirements, efficient scheduling and using resources to improve availability of their assets, while also meeting class and statutory requirements,” said ABS chairman, president and chief executive Christopher J Wiernicki.
Topaz Energy chief operating officer Martin Helweg noted, “At Topaz, we focus relentlessly on ensuring the quality and safety of our operations. We aim to be a best-in-class, reliable, innovative service provider to our customers and we believe that with our partners, ABS and ASMA, we are making yet another step in the right direction to provide the tools necessary to achieve this.”
This new partnership between Topaz, ABS, and AMSA is the first step of many towards a condition-based classification regime. This will align Topaz’s maintenance strategy with future condition-based class rules from ABS, moving from a prescriptive to condition-based survey.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.