AUGUST 13, 2013 — China's Xiamen ITG Shipbuilding Imp. & Exp. Co., Ltd. (ITG) and Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipments Co., Ltd. (ROC) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement and a contract covering the construction of two Ulstein PX121H platform supply vessels. The contract includes an option for two more vessels.

The ships have the Ulstein X-Bow, a length of 83.4 m and a beam of 18 m.  They have a load capacity of approximately 4,000 tonnes and a cargo deck of 840 sq.m. Maximum speed is stipulated as 14.5 knots.

This version of the medium-sized PX121 platform accommodates a total of 30 persons. The vessels will meet the requirements of DNV's Clean Design notation andwill be prepared for an ROV mezzanine deck and a subsea crane for future installation. They will be built in accordance to IMO's SPS Code (Special Purpose Ships) for carrying specialized personnel, and will have OILREC class notation for oil recovery in emergency situations.

The vessels are planned for the European market and are suitable for worldwide operation.

"We are happy to see the materialization of this project and that the shipyard and the owner, after careful evaluation of different designs and design companies, in the end selected Ulstein as their partner when entering into the offshore market. We are very pleased with the confidence they show by awarding these contracts to us," says deputy CEO Tore Ulstein in Ulstein Group.

The vessels are planned for delivery in the first half of 2015.

According to ROC, the vessels will be "first PSVs built outside Europe with complete European project management method and standards."

It says: "to ensure the smooth construction of new ship, the project will apply European shipbuilding management concept and make full use of Ulstein mature design and construction experience. ROC will dispatch all supervisors in technical and manufacture department in batches to Ulstein headquarters in Norway for training, to learn the advanced construction technique and project management methods. At the same time, Ulstein will send engineers to ROC for on-site guidance and supervision until the project is completed."