Ocean services provider DeepOcean has agreed to charter a converted, battery-powered vessel to further enhance its subsea offering to the offshore renewables and oil and gas industries.
DeepOcean has entered into a long-time charter agreement for the Island Condor – to be re-named Island Ocean multi-purpose support vessel (MPSV) – following conversion and upgrade.
The vessel will be converted from a 2014-built vessel to a modern construction support vessel equipped with a 150 Te crane which will provide subsea inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR), light construction, and recycling services to DeepOcean’s customers in the offshore renewables and oil and gas industries.
As part of the conversion process, the vessel will undergo an extension of approximately 11 metres. Additionally, dual ROV hangars will be installed, the superstructure will be extended, the DP system will be upgraded, and a large battery pack will be installed. An active front-end system will also be implemented, enabling the transfer of redundant energy to the battery pack. Furthermore, a state-of-the-art launch and recovery system for the ROVs will be installed.
“Re-use of existing tonnage is more environmentally friendly than building a new vessel, and adding battery power is an efficient way of reducing CO2-emissions and operating costs,” said Øyvind Mikaelsen, CEO of DeepOcean. “We are dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint from offshore operations and choose to collaborate with shipowners who can support this effort.”
DeepOcean charters the vessel from Ulsteinvik-based shipowner Island Offshore. The long-term charter contract will commence in the third quarter of 2024. The Island Ocean will be equipped with two Schilling HD x WROV systems for 3,000 metres water depth from DeepOcean’s fleet, together with DeepOcean’s dedicated infrastructure.
“Our forte is subsea services,” Mr Mikaelsen added. “Specialist subsea engineering competence and tools coupled with cost-effective work platforms, such as this MPSV, are enablers to conduct the subsea work and create value for operators of offshore energy infrastructure. We are experiencing increased demand for our services, which is why we are adding to our fleet of chartered vessels.”
