Ulstein introduces the HX103 and HX104 designs, DP3 vessels with heavy-lift capability and large outreach combined with a large open deck space and accommodation for 350 and 500 people.
With the introduction of these two heavy lift vessel designs, ULSTEIN paves the way for the next generation, cost efficient offshore assets to meet today’s and tomorrow’s market demand. A dedicated feature on the DP3 designed vessels is the heavy-lift capability with large outreach combined with a large open deck space and accommodation for 350 and 500 people on board. The fully SPS compliant designs also mark the entry of the successful ULSTEIN X-BOW® in this segment of the construction market.
In the last decade the offshore industry has become a truly global industry with an ever stronger focus on safety, operability and crew comfort. Combined with the recent downturn in oil prices and related cost reductions, the traditional low CAPEX heavy lift units are not the most efficient assets for worldwide operations.
With the new ULSTEIN HX heavy lift vessel designs, Ulstein has paid significant attention to combine good DP capabilities with relatively small installed power and smart DP lay-out, reducing the vessel’s overall environmental footprint. Therefore, ULSTEIN offers an attractive and modern vessel alternative for the maintenance markets in a.o. the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil and West Africa.
Optimised for DP2 capability, the HX103 design includes a main crane of 1,000 tonnes @ 26m outreach revolving and 320 tonnes @ 68m, as well as a deck crane of 50 tonnes @ 24m outreach. Its “big brother”, the ULSTEIN HX104 design, has a heavy-lift capability of 2,000 tonnes @ 30 m radius and 685 tonnes @ 74 m outreach.
The heavy lift vessel designs are officially introduced at the OTC in Houston, but first discussions with potential clients indicated a clear interest in the designs.