Solstad and VARD confirm contract

The client will charter the vessel for a minimum of 8 years from delivery, scheduled to be Q2 2016.

The vessel is a VARD 3 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund. The hull will be built at Vard Tulcea in Romania, while outfitting of the vessel will take place at Vard Brattvaag in Norway.

The vessel, which will become the largest in the Solstad-fleet, will have a 550 y top tension vertical lay-system, enabling the installation of large diameter flexible pipes in ultra-deepwater environments. In addition, it will be equipped with a 900 t active heave compensated offshore crane and a 4000 t under-deck carousel for storage of flexible pipes, cables and umbilical’s. The vessel will be about 180 m long, have a beam of 33 m and a deck area of more than 2500 m².

Solstad Offshore ASA is among the largest offshore-shipping companies in Norway, providing advanced vessels and extensive maritime competence for operations related to the offshore petroleum industry. The company has about 1800 employees, and operates 47 vessels all over the world. In addition the company has two large subsea vessels under construction.

Solstad Offshore is headquartered in Skudeneshavn, Norway and has branch offices in Brazil, Singapore, the Philippines, the UK and Australia.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/10062014/solstad_and_vard_confirm_contract/