DeepOcean charters unmanned vessel

DeepOcean is chartering the unmanned vessel, which it will use in the offshore renewables and oil and gas markets, from USV AS – a joint venture company established by Solstad Offshore, Østensjø and DeepOcean – whose main purpose is to invest and own USVs.

DeepOcean chief executive Øyvind Mikaelsen said, “The USV can be a game-changer for subsea inspection and intervention work, offering substantial reductions in operating expenditure and emissions. We are delighted to add the USV to our fleet of chartered vessels.”

The USV will be equipped with a work-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is capable of operating down to 1,500 m, plus a sizeable tool package to perform subsea operations. It will be capable of handling most subsea inspection work, survey work and significant intervention tasks.

To increase the USV’s weather window, it is equipped with a newly developed launch and recovery system which allows for work-class ROVs to be operated from relatively small vessels, such as the USV.

The USV will be remotely controlled from shore – but will have many autonomous features to ensure safety and integrity of the spread. It can operate in severe weather conditions. During operations, both the USV vessel crew and ROV operators will be co-located in the same remote operating centre.

The new unit will have a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and a battery package which allows it to operate offshore for up to 30 days without charging or refuelling.

It is estimated that using a USV can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 90% compared with a conventional offshore vessel, when conducting IMR operations.

The USV will be 24-m long with a breadth of 7 m. Astilleros Gondán shipyard has been contracted to build it. It is due for delivery by the end of 2024. Following offshore testing, will be ready for operations in 2025, when it will go on charter with DeepOcean.