Wagenborg Offshore will have another platform supply vessel converted into a walk-to-work emergency response and rescue vessel (W2W ERRV). The company will operate this fourth walk-to-work vessel in its fleet as a standby and support vessel for inspection and maintenance of unmanned platforms in the southern North Sea.

The existing PX121 platform supply ship, currently named Hermit Viking, will be converted into the walk-to-work vessel within twenty weeks at shipyard Royal Niestern Sander in Delfzijl. Approximately eighty employees will work on the innovative conversion of the ship. The Hermit Viking will be equipped with an additional accommodation module for forty people. Furthermore, a motion compensated gangway will be installed to comply with all requirements.

Early Q2 2022, the ship will be christened and the name will be revealed, after which it will set to work in the southern North Sea.

Also read: Wagenborg takes delivery of its third walk-to-work vessel

Other walk-to-work vessels

With four operational walk-to-work vessels on the North Sea, Wagenborg can be considered as one of the market leaders in this offshore niche. In 2018 Wagenborg delivered Kasteelborg, a similar vessel after a similar conversion project for Shell. In 2020, the Keizersborg was delivered to another oil and gas major, also after a conversion project.

Together with KNVTS Ship of the Year 2015 Kroonborg, all walk-to-work vessels have been proven to be very successful in recent years. In addition to efficiency and logistical advantages, the ships also have a positive effect on the environment by reducing helicopter flights significantly.

Also read: VIDEO: Niestern Sander launches world’s first walk-to-work icebreaker