EuropeOffshore

Damen unveils specialised decommissioning vessel concept

Damen Shipyards has unveiled a new concept design for a new series of vessel for decommissioning oil and gas projects.

The Damen Decommissioning Series (pictured) will be able to undertake topside decommissioning work, offshore platform removal and subsea cleaning and removal.

The vessel’s monohull design has a split stern, enabling it to reverse up to a jacket and be ballasted to sink below the platform during platform removal operations for units of up 1,600 tonnes in weight. Upon deballasting, the vessel will rise up to pick up the platform, Damen said.

The design concept is based on in-house research conducted by one of Damen’s undergraduate interns Justin Rietveld, who is studying Maritime Technology at the Rotterdam Mainport University of Applied Sciences.

“This research started off with the idea of developing a decommissioning vessel based on Damen’s existing portfolio,” Rietveld said in a release.

“However, we soon found out that this market needs more. For example, there are many different activities within the decommissioning sector. This vessel can support a vast number of those. We have developed a concept to cover the bigger part of this new and exciting market.”

Lucas Zaat, manager of design and proposal for Damen’s offshore & transport department said: “We initiated this project because we felt that we can make a difference in this sector – and it has certainly generated some significant ideas. The decommissioning market is close to our current activities. We are therefore planning to continue with this project and assign specialised personnel to implement it.”

Damen said it recently joined DECOM UK, the decommissioning industry’s independent members organisation, to expand its market knowledge and keep up with developments in the European decommissioning market.

Holly Birkett

Holly is Splash's Online Editor and correspondent for the UK and Mediterranean. She has been a maritime journalist since 2010, and has written for and edited several trade publications. She is currently studying for membership of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. In 2013, Holly won the Seahorse Club's Social Media Journalist of the Year award. She is currently based in London.
Back to top button