Semcorp Marine completes construction of LNG dual-fuel crane vessel

SSCV Sleipnir was completed at Sembcorp Marine’s Tuas Boulevard Yard for owner Heerema Marine Contractors. The vessel has a 220 m by 102 m reinforced deck area, making it the largest crane vessel to be built.

Sembcorp Marine claims that the vessel is also the world’s first crane vessel with dual-fuel engines running on marine gas oil (MGO) and LNG. Combined with an IMO- and US Coast Guard-approved ballast water management system, the SSCV will operate sustainably across all environmental jurisdictions.

The vessel will enter service in the coming months, featuring the strongest pair of revolving cranes for offshore oil, gas and renewable energy installation and decommissioning jobs.

In addition to this, the vessel also has two 10 000 t revolving cranes, which can lift loads of up to 20 000 t in tandem. According to the statement, no other existing crane vessel has this capability.

In the statement, Sembcorp Marine claims that the vessel is capable of accommodating 400 people, and will be deployed globally for installing and removing jackets, topsides, deepwater foundations, moorings and other offshore structures.

With its single-lift capability catering to larger integrated structures than previously possible, the SSCV will help minimise offshore assembly work and raise operational efficiency. At the same time, it will not compromise the flexibility and robustness of traditional installation methodologies.

According to the statement, Heerema has already signed contracts to implement the vessel in a variety of offshore energy developments, including: Leviathan topsides installation in the Mediterranean Sea; Tyra jackets and topsides installation and removal in the Danish North Sea; Brae B jackets and topsides removal in the UK North Sea; as well as transportation and installation of the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) Alpha HVAC platform in the North Sea, off the Dutch coast.

In the offshore wind sector, Heerema reportedly sees a significant growth in the size of wind turbines and foundations, which requires specialised equipment for their installation.

With cranes capable of a 129 m lifting height and a combined 20 000 t lifting capacity, Sleipnir is able to accommodate the trend of increasingly larger offshore wind turbines.

Pieter Heerema, Chairman of the Board at Heerema Marine Contractors, said: “I am immensely proud that Heerema Marine Contractors is again taking things further with the introduction of our new semi-submersible crane vessel. Sleipnir scores several firsts in the industry: It is the largest crane vessel yet built; it has the strongest pair of revolving cranes; and it’s also the world’s first crane vessel with dual-fuel engines running on MGO and LNG, dramatically reducing harmful emissions. Sleipnir’s innovative capabilities will place Heerema even firmer at the forefront of developments in the offshore oil, gas and wind energy industry for both installations and decommissioning.

“Sembcorp Marine in Singapore was chosen to build Sleipnir for their professionalism and dedication to the project. The excellent cooperation between Heerema and Sembcorp Marine ensured that the project was executed smoothly, on budget and according to the best possible safety and quality standards.”

Sembcorp Marine President and CEO, Wong Weng Sun, added: “In a safe environment, we can bring our best-quality work into building a reliable vessel, and this in turn helps ensure the safety of the future officers and crew aboard. Our safety mind set therefore goes beyond the successful completion of a project. It effectively complements our continuous focus on innovation and technology development, enabling us to deliver world-class products to Heerema and all other customers.

“Sembcorp Marine is grateful to Heerema Marine Contractors for giving us the opportunity to build the world’s biggest, strongest and first dual-fuel semi-submersible crane vessel at our flagship Tuas Boulevard Yard.”

The vessel was christened by sponsor Maha Hatfield, and will leave for sea trials shortly, with delivery to Heerema scheduled soon afterwards.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/28052019/semcorp-marine-completes-construction-of-lng-dual-fuel-crane-vessel/