Damen Shipyards unveils its new Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) at Europort 2011 and will launch a complete PSV range in the next few months. Europort started today and lasts until Friday.
The PSV 3300 E3 is a dedicated supply vessel to transport supplies to oil and gas rigs and is specifically designed to perform safely in adverse weather conditions. The first two vessels will be built at the Damen shipyard in Galati, Romania. Delivery is scheduled for early 2013.
New PSV Series
Damen’s new vessel series will range from the smallest PSV of 1500 dwt to the largest of approximately 6500 dwt. The new range of vessels is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2012. Although the series are primarily designed as PSVs, the platforms can also serve as a basis for other offshore support services such as diving support, drilling or well stimulation. The vessels can also play a role in oil recovery and firefighting operations.
PSV 3300 E3
The eye-catching design and sleek bow make the PSV 3300 E3 a distinctive vessel. The vessel boasts a large 700 m² main deck and can carry ten per cent more cargo than the former PSV. Even though it has a larger cargo capacity, the new vessel will have improved speed performance with the same engine size, facilitating significant savings in fuel costs and emissions. This vessel follows on from the Damen PSV 3000 of which nearly twenty have been built so far.
Sea Truck
Damen has spent a lot of time on Research & Development and model tests of the new 80 m long vessel. This resulted in a modern hull with lower resistance and extremely good seakeeping behaviour. Mark Couwenberg, one of the ship’s designers, describes the vessel as a “sea truck” because it offers efficient, reliable and safe logistics at sea.
Input from Crew and Client
Logbooks of the PSV 3000 vessels were examined, operational studies were carried out, and the crews onboard these vessels were asked to fill in questionnaires. This input was combined with the input from the PSV 3300’s Norwegian clien to create the PSV 3300.
Hull Design
Extensive CFD studies were conducted to optimise the hull shape. A model of the resulting hull has been tested at Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (Marin) to verify the results. The slender hull reduces fuel oil consumption, not only in calm water, but especially in rough seas.
Safety and Comfort First
Slamming has been reduced to very low levels, which results in improved comfort and safety for the crew, vessel and cargo. Accommodation is designed to the current standards in the 24/7 offshore industry and each cabin has access to the Internet, radio and television. There is a safe, sheltered foredeck.
E3 Principles
The vessel was built to the Damen E3 principles that take into account the needs of the planet, the people operating the ship and the owner’s need to make a profit: Environmentally friendly, Efficient in operation and Economically viable. In addition, the vessels fulfil the latest requirements of Clean Design and Environmental Protection standards of the major classification societies. The location of oil tanks, hull coatings, refrigerants, ballast water and other environmental aspects were also given special attention.
