Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. has signed a contract with Singapore based Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd for the construction and completion of a new fall pipe vessel.
The vessel with an overall length of 159 meters is expected to be completed late 2011 and will be deployed in oil and gas offshore projects.
Fall Pipe Vessels
Activities in the energy-driven offshore markets include the construction and protection of oil and gas pipelines located on or in the seabed. Fall pipe vessels are designed to place rocks in deeper water with great precision. The vessel will have a flexible fall pipe with an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) at the lower end for better positioning. Rocks are lowered through the fall pipe at a controlled rate, while the vessel moves along its track under dynamic control. The ROV is controlled from the ship, and can be precisely positioned above the job.
The company currently operates two fall pipe vessels: Seahorse and Sandpiper. Seahorse can be fitted with an A-frame located on the stern and an ROV-steered clamshell grab, making it possible to dredge down to depths of 1,000 meters.
100th Anniversary
Boskalis has a versatile fleet of over 300 units and operates in over fifty countries across five continents. Including its share in partnerships, Boskalis has approximately 10,000 employees. Boskalis celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2010.
