Onomichi Dockyard Chief Nakabe in town for Keel laying ceremony

The keel for the construction of the 2nd Multipurpose Platform Supply Vessels (in a series of 3 vessels) for Greatship Global Offshore Services Pte Limited of Singapore, was held at Colombo Dockyard, at the auspicious time of 1136 am on 7th June 2011 participated by many dignitaries from the two companies.  The event was significant as key senior officials of Onomichi Dockyard Co. Ltd, was also present for this occasion.  

This significant event marked the commencement of construction work of the Vessel in the presence of Owner’s Representatives Jeewaka Gunadheera (Project Manager GGOSL), Priyanga Perera (GGOSL), Classification Society Surveyors Srinath Herat (Lloyds Register), Sarath Dharmarathne and Chanaka Rupasinghe (Indian Register of Shipping).

Akihiko Nakauchi (Chairman, CDPLC), Mangala Yapa (MD/CEO, CDPLC), Takashi Nakabe (Director CDPLC and President of Onomichi Dockyard Japan), K. Sugihara (Onomichi Dockyard Japan), Y. Kijima (Director, CDPLC), I. Takeda (Director, CDPLC),  D.V Abeysinghe (General Manager - P&E, CDPLC), Shantha Perera (GM - Production, CDPLC), and a number of other senior management team of Colombo Dockyard PLC and the project management team led by Shantha Rathnayake participated at the event.

This 78 m long Vessel with the 3600 dwt capacity too is designed by Seatech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd of Singapore and it incorporates a fire fighting, oil recovery arrangements and has the capability to operate as advanced PSV, as well as, light construction support vessel, complying to SPS Code 2008, Clean Design requirements.

This Vessel is scheduled for delivery in the 2nd quarter of 2012.

The main role of this Vessel is to support offshore oil and gas fields around the clock and the Vessel will have an endurance of 35 days and a cruising range of about 9,200 nautical miles. Designed for operation worldwide and with an outstanding speed of 13.8 knots the Vessel can get to the desired location around the world fast, minimizing downtime. The Vessel shall be built for operation in un-restricted waters.

Twin controllable pitch propellers, twin high lift rudders and transverse bow and stern thrusters provide good maneuverability and station keeping ability. The vessel shall be controlled from twin maneuvering consoles fitted in the wheelhouse, forward and aft stations with “joy-stick” controls. The Vessel shall also be equipped with advanced dynamic positioning (DP AA) system which assures safe and more efficient operations while working in close proximity to oil platforms/ rigs, even under the harsh weather conditions.

The vessel shall be equipped with a fully automated bridge layout with alarm monitoring systems for periodic single man bridge operation, and will be classed with “NAV1” notation. The vessel shall be fitted with automated installations enabling machinery spaces to remain periodically unattended in all sailing conditions including maneuverings, qualifying it to be assigned with “UMS” notation.

The Vessel is also designed to have an enhanced accommodation area for 50 persons. These accommodation areas shall be fully air-conditioned, well-appointed and aesthetically designed with special attention made to noise and vibration levels and crew comfort onboard the vessel, thereby meeting compliance to ‘CAC3’ notation of the classification society.

The Vessel shall also be classed with “In Water Survey” denoting the vessel could be operated without being dry-docked for 5 years.  Due to this, surveying the underwater parts of the Vessel could be carried out while the Vessel is still afloat instead of having to dry dock the Vessel for examination of the under water areas, as is conventionally done. This is a huge saving for the Owner. In addition, the Vessel shall also be equipped with Tail Shaft monitoring system (SCM) which is a huge advantage for the Owner in his quest for monitoring of temperature and condition in the tail shafts.  

In addition to the dry bulk carrying capability, the vessel shall also be capable of carrying methanol, which is a low flash point liquid. In order to prevent any fire risks, a special deck foam fire fighting and prevention system has been installed for safety and shall be designed, constructed and outfitted complying with the latest rules and regulations applicable to a Vessel of this type and size. The plan approval and survey during construction will be performed Lloyds Register and the Indian Register of Shipping.

The Vessel when completed will carry the class notation “+100 A1, Offshore Supply Ship, Oil Recovery, Fire Fighting Ship I (2400m3/hr), *IWS, RD (Liquid Product Tanks 2.8), LFPL (Methanol, 120 C, Methanol Tanks), EP (B,G,I,O,P,R,S), WDL (5T/m2 Upper Deck Aft of FR 84), + LMC, UMS, DP (AA), PCR(X)(Y), NAV1, CAC3”.

It is with great pride that Colombo Dockyard highlight that Ships carrying the adage MADE IN SRI LANKA, are now operating across oceans worldwide and it is the Company’s commitment to build Ships to the highest quality, meeting international standards, guaranteed performance, at competitive prices, that has enabled Colombo Dockyard to spread Ships “MADE IN SRI LANKA”, from here to the World.