News | EQUIPMENT
Sea trial Expansion
Aban Abraham Crowley expands
trials success barge fleet
Drillship Aban Abraham has successfully finished Vessel Management Services, a subsidiary of Crowley
seatrials at Sembawang Shipyard, Singapore. Dutch Maritime Corporation, has awarded construction
ship design office Ulstein Sea of Solutions was contracts to Gunderson Marine for eight Heavy Lift
responsible or the upgrade design of the vessel, which Series 400×105ft-wide deck barges.
was adapted to operate the dynamic positioning (DP) Once construction is complete, the 455-4 and
vessel in deeper waters up to 6,600ft. 455-5 barges will handle project work for the Gulf of
Ulstein Sea of Solutions is involved in project Mexico and other regions, and increases the total fleet
development for operators, contractors and for this type of barge to 13 by 2012. Gunderson built
ship owners in the exploration, construction the first three barges of this series, the Marty-J, 455-2,
and production markets, and also the maritime and 455-3 (later named the Julie B), all of which were
transport market. delivered in 2007.
Upgrade work of the Pelican class vessel, owned The 455-4 and 455-5 barges are scheduled for delivery
by Aban Abraham Pte. Ltd, included widening in the first quarter and second quarter of 2009 respec-
of the beam by adding sponsons on either side of tively. Four more barges are contracted for delivery in
the drillship to compensate for additional weight 2010, and Crowley has the opportunity to build a further
and provide buoyancy. A total displacement of four barges with Gunderson to be received in 2012.
3500dwt was achieved by adding the sponsons, Crowley’s Heavy Lift 455 series with 25ft (7.62m) side
increasing deadweight capacity with an additional shells is slated to provide both the capacity and deck
1400tonnes. strength to accommodate the more common larger units
The upgrade involved a new substructure with an for offshore exploration and development. The barges
increased drillfloor height and an increased power are suitable for use in regions other than Gulf of Mexico,
generating capacity including a complete new power such as Alaska, where Crowley has been performing
distribution and automation system. routine summer sealifts to the North Slope.
The vessel’s capacity for riser handling, riser tensioning The new barges will be classed by the American
and riser storage was increased after the upgrade was Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and receive certification from
completed to deal with the increased waterdepth. the United States Coast Guard.
Recent tests showed the vessel met all design
calculations and during seatrials the vessel reached a Facility
trial speed of 11knots and has allowed a service speed
of 10knots.
New factory for
The master of Aban Abraham, Philippe Wintgens,
Wärtsilä-Hyundai
has been said to be very pleased with the results
of the sea trials, as the vibrations are well within Wärtsilä-Hyundai Engine Company, a joint venture
the expectations. Ulstein Sea of Solutions, he said: between Wärtsilä and Hyundai Heavy Industries, has
“has performed a design job well-done and we are inaugurated a new factory in Korea.
very pleased with the support they gave during the The joint venture company manufactures Wärtsilä
conversion period.” 50DF dual-fuel engines for LNG carriers and other
marine applications for the Korean, Japanese,
Chinese and Taiwanese shipbuilding markets, and
is a 50/50 ownership split. The optimal capacity for
the factory is believed to be around 100-120 engines
per annum.
During the inauguration event a display of the first
engine manufactured by the joint venture company
was started by the president and chief executive officer
of Wärtsilä, Mr Ole Johansson, and vice chairman and
chief executive officer of Hyundai Heavy Industries,
Dr Keh-Sik Min.
Earlier in the year the joint venture company
Aban Abraham during sea trials (photo courtesy of received a significant order from Samsung Heavy
Ulstein Sea of Solutions). Industries to supply 16 engines for four ships.
8 Offshore Marine Technology 4th Quarter 2008
OOMT_4Q08_p8+9.indd 8MT_4Q08_p8+9.indd 8 110/20/08 2:12:37 PM0/20/08 2:12:37 PM
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