First PX105 for Bourbon Offshore Norway launched

Vessel & ROV News - September 2, 2009

Bourbon's PX105s have a number of innovative features.

The first PX105 PSV under construction in China for Bourbon Offshore Norway, Bourbon Front, was launched 28 August.

“These ships are so efficient that it’s almost impossible to make them any better,” claimed Bourbon Offshore Norway newbuilding and project manager Bjørn Bergsnes.

Four vessels are under construction at Zhejiang Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Ningbo, China.

”The ships will be the most advanced supply vessels ever designed and built due to the state-of-the-art cargo solution onboard,” claimed Ulstein Design's project manager Inge Sleipnes.

”The ships are designed in compliance with Bourbon Offshore Norway’s demanding specifications. Conventional supply vessels have dedicated tanks, meaning they can hold only a few types of cargo. This requires plenty of space and is an enormous waste of resources. We use MACS tanks, which can hold both dry and liquid bulk. While conventional supply ships typically carry six or seven types of cargo, our ships can carry 21 different products at once. The ships can carry a much wider range of products, which means greater flexibility,” said Mr Bergsnes.

”The ships have eight MACS tanks onboard, four of which are low flashpoint tanks – meaning that they can carry flammable goods. The vessels also have 12 conventional tanks. All of the tanks have separate pumps which allow them to be unloaded independently of each other through their respective piping system. This makes unloading safer and more efficient,” Mr Bergsnes explained.

“In firefighting, the ships are equipped with FiFi class I, with fire monitors placed rearmost on the stern. With this placement, we improve safety for the ship and crew and provide a better overview for fire-fighting operations,” Mr Sleipnes said.

”We should also mention the exhaust system on our ships. We use Mecmar’s wet exhaust system whereby the exhaust is released through the hull sides just above the waterline. This also frees up space in the ship’s accommodations where conventional exhaust pipes would otherwise be fitted. This way the ship runs more quietly and provides a 360-degree view from any point on the bridge. Without exhaust pipes in the accommodation, with super-quiet side thrusters, ULSTEIN X-BOW and carefully planned interiors, these vessels will provide maximal comfort for the crew," said Mr Bergsnes.

“Service and maintenance conditions dockside are also improved because of less noise in the engine room, as the harbour generator is situated in a separate compartment in the engine room,” Mr Sleipnes explained.