Launching of first ULSTEIN PX105 in China

Bourbon Offshore Norway currently has four ULSTEIN PX105 platform supply vessels under construction in China. The first, Bourbon Front, was launched 28 August. “These ships are so efficient that it’s almost impossible to make them any better,” claims Bourbon Offshore Norway newbuilding and project manager Bjørn Bergsnes.

The four vessels that are now under construction at Zhejiang Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in Ningbo, China, are of the ULSTEIN PX105 design from Ulstein Design.

70 percent more efficient
”The ships will be the most advanced supply vessels ever designed and built due to the state-of-the-art cargo solution onboard,” says Ulstein Design project manager Inge Sleipnes.

”The ships are designed in compliance with Bourbon Offshore Norway’s demanding specifications, and could hardly be more efficient. Conventional supply vessels have dedicated tanks, meaning they can hold only a few types of cargo. This requires plenty of space and is an enormous waste of resources. We use MACS tanks, which can hold both dry and liquid bulk. While conventional supply ships typically carry six or seven types of cargo, our ships can carry 21 different products at once. The ships can carry a much wider range of products, which means greater flexibility,” adds Bergsnes.

Safety
”The ships have eight MACS tanks onboard, four of which are low flashpoint tanks – meaning that they can carry flammable goods. The vessels also have 12 conventional tanks. All of the tanks have separate pumps which allow them to be unloaded independently of each other through their respective piping system. This makes unloading safer and more efficient,” says Bergsnes.

“In firefighting, the ships are equipped with FiFi class I, with fire monitors placed rearmost on the stern. With this placement, we improve safety for the ship and crew and provide a better overview for fire-fighting operations,” says Sleipnes.  

Environment
”We should also mention the exhaust system on our ships. We use Mecmar’s system whereby the exhaust is released through the hull sides just above the waterline. This also frees up space in the ship’s accommodations where conventional exhaust pipes would otherwise be fitted. This way the ship runs more quietly and provides a 360-degree view from any point on the bridge. Without exhaust pipes in their accommodations, with super-quiet side thrusters, ULSTEIN X-BOW® and carefully planned interiors, these vessels will provide maximal comfort for the crew. Catalysers keep NOx emissions low, and other exhaust gases that would normally be released into the air are now partially mixed in with the seawater,” says Bergsnes.  

“Service and maintenance conditions dockside are also improved because of less noise in the engine room, as the harbour generator is situated in a separate compartment in the engine room,” adds Sleipnes.

Great confidence
”Zhejiang Shipbuilding Co. Ltd builds many ships for the Bourbon Group and has no difficulty building ships with the ULSTEIN X-BOW® – which are the first of their type in Asia. The yard has built four ULSTEIN P105s previously, the latest delivered at the end of last year. These ships function well, and we have great confidence in this building project,” says Bergsnes.

The Bourbon Group has 25 employees at the yard and Bourbon Offshore Norway has two site supervisors drawing on those resources during the construction period. DNV’s organisation in Ningbo is also of great help during the construction period. Additionally, Ulstein Group has a number of employees at the site.

Explanation of terms:

Dry bulk – Products such as cement, bentonite and barite
Liquid bulk – Everything else, including oil, mud, brine, etc.
MACS tanks: Multi Application Cargo Tanks