DOF selects propulsion for Canadian OSV newbuild

Crist shipyard in Gdynia, Poland, has ordered a suite of thrusters for an offshore field-support vessel it is building for DOF Group.

This ice-class, 110-m vessel, to be named Sea Dragon, will support operations at fixed and floating hydrocarbon production infrastructure at fields on the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, after its delivery, scheduled for H1 2027.

Sea Dragon is being built to MMC Ship Design & Marine Consulting Ltd’s MMC 995L SBC hull design to ice class 1A rating with dynamic positioning of DP3 class, and will have 100 tonnes of bollard pull and accommodation for 164 people.

Steerprop has been selected to supply the propulsion for this newbuild, including two SP 50 WD azimuth thrusters for main propulsion, two SP 25 TT tunnel thrusters and an SP 20R retractable thruster.

It will also provide condition monitoring services and wear monitoring for the shaft seals. All equipment deliveries are expected to begin in Q3 2025.

Sea Dragon will operate in extremely challenging weather and sea conditions where the presence of icebergs can be devastating to structures. Part of its remit will be towing icebergs away from oil and gas production infrastructure.

This emphasises the importance of the ship’s propulsion thrusters in maintaining DP and facilitating safe and reliable operations.

“Vessels [need] to cope effectively with challenging operations in demanding conditions,” said Steerprop director of sales and project management, Juho Rekola. “Manoeuvrability is critical in these circumstances, and our fit-for-purpose solutions ensure reliability and safety when it is needed the most.”