COSCO Delivers FPSO Modules

23 September 2013

On the morning of August 1, the delivery ceremony for two sets of FPSO modules was held in COSCO (Shanghai) Shipyard. The successful construction of the two modules is another major breakthrough for COSCO (Shanghai) in the offshore market, following their previous, successful, offshore design projects.

The work has also widened the experience and developed the ability of COSCO Shipyards' offshore engineering business. In 2011, COSCO (Shanghai) entered into an FPSO design and consultancy contract with Ecovix and became the first in the domestic shipbuilding market to export offshore technology. Based on their successful cooperation dur ing that project, COSCO (Shanghai) was awarded additional FPSO module and ultra-deepwater drillship design projects. The FPSO modules are the first construction project COSCO (Shanghai) has delivered, the total cost of which exceeds the cost of four 57,000- dwt bulk carriers.

These modules meet North Sea regulatory requirements. Among them, the four sets of living modules and generic modules represent the highest technology. Each living module measures 13.5 metres in length, 41.4 metres in breadth, 23.5 metres in height and 1,880 tons in weight, and fully adopt green design principles and outfitting materials, ergonomics and integration control technology, first-class air-conditioning systems and sanitary units and the most advanced internal and external communication systems.

A small shipyard of 37,000 square meters with a 280-metre quay, COSCO (Shanghai) managed to arrange proper construction space for the modules and establ ished an appropr iate offshore engineering standard QHSE management system, which was recognised by ABS. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of 1,400 staff throughout the past year, the design, structure, machinery installation, piping installation, electric installation, painting, external outfitting, commissioning, lifting lashing and fixation work were completed. All the work passed the strict inspections and tests of the end user, Petrobras, the Ecovix supervisors and the ABS inspectors. Furthermore, the ergonomic design, noise control arrangements, lifting and lashing plans have undergone assessment or field verification by worldauthoritative professional bodies.

The Petrobras and Ecovix representatives spoke highly of the project management, design, construction, HSE, quality control and services of COSCO (Shanghai) Shipyard which led to a quality product and timely delivery. At the delivery ceremony, the Petrobras FPSO construction supervision manager, Mr. Bellas, said in his speech: ¡°Until now, I have in mind, one year and a half before, when I arrived here, walking in the workshops, beside Mr. Xie, when I said, this shipyard is too small, then, one worker near us said in English: we are small but we are strong. Today, I can say, he was right in his words. At this moment, with the sail way, the end of this job, that means a success, that along those months, since when we start the first cutting, on April 23, 2012."

COSCO Shipyard Group Co. Ltd. press release