Japanese shipping firm Kawasaki Heavy Industries has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Norway-based Island Offshore Shipholding to construct a new high-end offshore service vessel.
The UT 777 vessel will be built according to mobile offshore unit (MOU) standards and will be designed by Rolls Royce.
The 169m-long, 28m-wide and 11.7m-deep vessel will be built by Kawasaki at its Kobe shipyard and the engineering work will be performed jointly by Kawasaki and Rolls Royce.
The vessel will be designed to perform optimal subsea operations, such as tophole drilling and light well intervention services. National Oilwell will supply the topside handling equipment for the vessel.
Powered by seven thrusters and capable of accommodating 91 people, the vessel will feature an enclosed module handling tower that will provide secure safe and comfortable working environment under harsh conditions.
The vessel is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2017.
Following the expected growth in the demand for offshore industry, Kawasaki will continue to pursue its shipbuilding operations such as offshore service vessels and offshore structures construction.
Island Offshore Shipholding offers a range of complex services to the offshore industry, including light well intervention, subsea installation and maintenance, anchor handling and logistics and supply.