Wärtsilä, ship power system integrator, has signed a ship design contract with Pipavav Shipyard of India. The contract calls for a total of 12 Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs) to be designed by Wärtsilä and built by Pipavav, for delivery to ONGC - Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd, which is the largest oil and gas producer in India. The yard is scheduled to begin production of the first seven vessels in the first quarter of 2010.
Wärtsilä's strong track record in producing consistently high performance and cost effective designs was clearly a key factor in the company's design being the one chosen from a highly competitive field of global ship design companies.
ONGC originally invited participation from ship designers and shipyards worldwide for its pre-qualifying tender. Of the six shipyards subsequently shortlisted, four of the tenders submitted were based upon Wärtsilä designs. Pipavav Shipyard, who worked closely with Wärtsilä Ship Design throughout the tendering process, was awarded the contract for all 12 vessels. Building of the vessels is to be completed within 30 months. The value of the contract was not published.
The 193.5-ft vessels are designed to achieve a speed exceeding 12.5 knots, and will provide back-up for search, rescue and standby support. They will also transport cargo between ONGC's supply base and its offshore installations.
(www.wartsila.com)