Wärtsilä receives major order to supply propulsion solutions for six
new offshore Pipe Laying Vessels to operate in Brazilian waters

28 August 2013

Wärtsilä, the marine industry’s leading solutions and services provider, has received a significant order to supply the propulsion solutions for six new offshore pipe laying vessels being built by IHC Merwede, a global leader in delivering efficient vessels and equipment. Three of the ships are to be built for Subsea 7, the seabed-to-surface engineering, construction, and services contractor to the offshore energy industry. The other three vessels have been ordered by Seabras Sapura, the Sapura Kencana and Seadrill partnership entity.

All six vessels are scheduled to be delivered during the first half of 2015 and the second half of 2016. They will be deployed to serve the Brazilian offshore market by Petrobras, the multi-national energy corporation. 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 comprises six 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 engines, two transverse thrusters, two retractable thrusters, and three steerable underwater de-mountable thrusters. Wärtsilä’s ability to secure easy and quick changing of the underwater de-mountable thrusters was especially important to the customer.

The contracts call for a tight delivery schedule, and Wärtsilä’s ability to meet this requirement with equipment and machinery that provide the necessary quality, reliability and efficiency, was another key factor in the award of the contracts. Wärtsilä will begin deliveries already in February 2014, with further deliveries following at four month intervals.

“These are very important orders that underscore Wärtsilä’s outstanding reputation for serving the offshore sector with solutions that meet the most demanding expectations. 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 Mr 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. Furthermore, for Subsea7, Wärtsilä has an existing worldwide services and spare parts contract.

Wärtsilä’s scope of delivery per shipset:

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

The specifications of the Type 550 pipe laying vessels:

Length overall 145.97m
Breadth 29.94m
Depth main deck 13m
Summer draught 8.3m
Scantling draught 8.5m

Draft (max) 8.3m
Deadweight at summer draught 10,800 t

Accommodation 120 people

Wärtsilä has the broadest product and solution portfolio on the market for offshore sector vessels. The offering includes complete power generation, vessel positioning, and environmental compliance solutions. Wärtsilä also offers complete electrical and automation systems, emission control systems, oil & gas handling, pumping, inert gas systems, water management and customized vessel design.

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2012, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.7 billion with approximately 18,900 employees. The company has operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.

Wärtsilä Corporation, press release