WATCH: Royal IHC Launches New ‘Seven Cruzeiro’ Pipelay Vessel

Photo credit: Royal IHC

Royal IHC has launched the 550-ton top tension capacity pipelay vessel, Seven Cruzeiro, at its shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, Netherlands. This is the final pipelaying vessel in a series of three ordered by Subsea 7. The second vessel, Seven Sun, was launched December 2014 in Kinderdijk.

Both vessels are dynamically positioned pipelay vessels capable of operating in water depths of up to 3,000m and suitable for operations worldwide. Designed by IHC in close collaboration with Subsea 7, each vessel is fitted with two under-deck storage carousels with a capacity for 2,500t and 1,500t of product respectively.

A vertical (tiltable) lay system with a 550t top tension capacity is permanently installed for the deployment of a range of flexible products with a diameter of 50-650mm. The lay tower can operate at up to 10° from the vertical and is fitted with two wire centralizers and with two tensioners, each with a 275t capacity, that can be retracted clear of the firing line. The pipelaying systems are delivered by Huisman.

“Over the years we have worked closely together with Subsea 7 on a total of eight vessels,” says Arjan Klijnsoon, IHC’s Executive Director Shipbuilding. “IHC is proud of its long-standing relationship with Subsea 7 and the confidence they have in our ability to deliver high-quality vessels on time.”

The first vessel of the three, Seven Rio, was delivered to Subsea 7 in Q3 2015 and commenced work in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel was later expected to transit to Brazil to commence a five-year contract for Petrobras.

Seven Sun and Seven Cruzeiro are expected to be delivered in Q2 and Q4 2016, respectively. They are also linked to long-term contracts awarded by Petrobras, expected to commence operations at six monthly upon delivery of the vessels.

The new vessels are arriving amid a cost reduction program initiated by Subsea 7 in response to weak market conditions. The program involves reducing the company’s active fleet by 12 vessels and a headcount reduction of 2,500 by early 2016.

Launch Video:

Main Features

Name: SEVEN CRUZEIRO
Type: 550t pipelaying vessel
Length overall: 145.9m
Breadth, moulded: 30m
Depth main deck: 13m
Scantling draught: 8.5m
Summer draught: 8.3m
Deadweight (operational): 7,025t
Deadweight (max): 11,750t
Accommodation: 120 people