AUGUST 28, 2013 — Wärtsilä is to supply the propulsion solutions for six Type 550 pipe laying vessels recently ordered from IHC Merwede (see earlier story). Three are to be built for Subsea 7 and three for Seabras Sapura, the Sapura Kencana and Seadrill partnership.

All six vessels are scheduled for delivery from the shipbuilder during the first half of 2015 and the second half of 2016.

Wärtsilä signed its supply order for the first vessel in the second quarter of 2013, and the remaining orders in the third quarter. The scope of supply for each ship consists of six 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 engines, two transverse thrusters, two retractable thrusters, and three steerable underwater demountable thrusters.

Wärtsilä says its ability to provide easy and quick changing of the underwater de-mountable thrusters was particularly important to the customer.

The contracts call for a tight delivery schedule and Wärtsilä's deliveries will begin in February 2014, with further deliveries following at four month intervals.

"The delivery schedule is challenging, but we have frequently demonstrated that our world class manufacturing and logistics processes can handle fast-track projects such as these," says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

Both Subsea 7 and Sapura Kencana already have vessels with similar Wärtsilä equipment installed, and Wärtsilä has enjoyed a long-standing and successful relationship with IHC Merwede.

Wärtsilä has an existing worldwide services and spare parts contract with Subsea 7.

Wärtsilä's scope of delivery per ship set:

2 x Transverse thruster FT300H-D 2 x Retractable thruster FS1510/MNR 3 x Steerable underwater demountable thruster FS2510/NU 6 x 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 engines