New rescue vessel breaks the ice

Multipurpose duty rescue vessel Kogalym was delivered by Keppel Singmarine to Lukoil on schedule, in July. The vessel was jointly designed by Marine Technology Development, the ship design and development arm of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, and consultants Robert Allen.

Victor Velikov, deputy general-director of Lukoil said, “Heavy-duty support vessels such as Kogalym are highly valuable in ensuring smooth offshore operations all year round in the unique weather conditions of the Caspian Sea.” The vessel is the fifth that Keppel Singmarine has delivered to Lukoil since 2003.

Kogalym is named after a key production region for Lukoil in western Siberia. The 60 tonne bollard pull vessel will be deployed in the Caspian Sea region to perform supply duty and rescue operations in temperatures as low as -20°C and ice thickness of up to 70cm.

Hoe Eng Hock, executive director of Keppel Singmarine commented, “Through the successful delivery of Kogalym and several other important projects, we have developed a good understanding of Lukoil’s operating requirements, be it in the Caspian Sea or Arctic regions.” Currently, a floating storage and offloading vessel is being completed by sister yard Caspian Shipyard Co in the Caspian Sea.