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ADNOC welcomes newbuilds to enhance offshore diving
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) has welcomed the second of two catamaran-hulled dive support vessels (DSVs), ADNOC MD 02, built by Grandweld Shipyards in the United Arab Emirates
Grandweld has delivered two DSVs to ADNOC Logistics & Services, which the shipbuilder said would “be a game-changer in offshore diving operations.”
These 192-gt, 25-m vessels were built to a Robert Allan Ltd design and Bureau Veritas class with catamaran hulls, a moulded beam of 8 m, a depth of 3 m and a navigational draught of 2 m, for shallow-water diving operations.
These vessels have specialised diving equipment, accommodation for seven divers and are certified for both IMCA and Hazardous Zone 2 standards.
Propulsion machinery consists of two Baudouin 12M26.3 main engines, each developing 1,030 kW at 2,100 rpm and Reintjes WVS 430/1 gearboxes driving 4-blade conventional propellers. The vessel exceeded the design contract speed with a sea trial speed of 19.4 knots.
On each vessel is a twin-lock decompression chamber for up to three divers, dive air compressors, compressed air and other gas cylinders, hose reels for underwater tools and diver air supply.
Grandweld said this enables safe diving operations in remote areas, the catamaran aluminium hull enables stability and high speeds, and vessels have a large deck area for equipment storage.
A large 6.5-m workboat and crane with 10-m working radius is situated on top of the deckhouse to avoid interference with dive operations.
ADNOC Logistics & Services senior vice president for offshore logistics Capt Mohamed Al Ali provided a keynote address at the Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference 2024, in London, in February, explaining how one of the Middle East’s largest integrated shipping and logistics group meets increasing demands from its state-backed energy company owner.
It is reducing emissions from its own and chartered-in vessels, using digitalisation and optimised fleet management, investing in shore power and onboard batteries and using biodiesel. “By the end of 2024 we will achieve a 30% fuel reduction compared with 2018. We will convert and modify vessels with hybrid propulsion,” he said.
Shipbuilder update
Grandweld is one of the most active shipyards in the Middle East for offshore support vessel construction. Its general manager Jamal Abki said the shipbuilder has a strong orderbook for 2024 with several constructions in the fabrication phase.
Its orders range from 21-m crewboats up to its 42-m Grand-Superior vessels and it has slots remaining for 2024.
At the end of 2023, Grandweld completed one of its latest crewboats for Jana Marine Service and it undertook sea trials. This vessel has capacity for 135 people, an automated man-overboard recovery system and clean ship notation.
In December 2023, Grandweld completed a major ship conversion contract worth US$3M with seismic survey company BGP, which it has a long-term partnership with.
It converted offshore supply vessel SK Marquee into a security and source vessel for seismic surveys in 75 days, with work including fabrication and installation of 154 tonnes of steel structure, including a new 24-tonne slipway for the seismic array, electrical and electronics installations and new accommodation areas.
Grandweld also completed drydockings in Q4 2023, including a third for Seros Shipping on anchor handling tug, supply vessel Saksham, providing mechanical, electrical rewinding and electrical services, fabrications and general special survey works.
Riviera Maritime Media’s OSJ Conference, Americas, part of the annual global OSJ Conference series, returns to Houston in June 2024. This two-day event will bring together the OSV Community to explore emerging opportunities in the resurgent regional offshore energy sector, including traditional oil, gas, and wind.
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