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Dockwise in swim with floatover plans



By Anthony Guegel 

Dutch player Dockwise believes about 50 new topsides modules will need installation on fixed and floating platforms or delivery to onshore destinations between now and 2015, adding it thinks almost of of these are prime candidates for its floatover method for setting decks.

Some deck assemblies can weigh as much as 35,000 tonnes and Dockwise chief executive Andre Goedee said operators can realise savings in time and money by combining transport and installation using the same vessel.

Dockwise has sharpened its focus on West Africa, the Far East and Australia as key market areas for floatover jobs in part because heavylift capability is scarce in those regions.

However, heavy transport - such as delivering new rigs from Asian shipyards - will continue to be one of Dockwise's core businesses.

Goedee said the Blue Marlin in particular will be in very high demand between 2010 and 2011 delivering sixth-generation semi-submersible rigs.

He indicated that Dockwise expects to announce a new but similar contract within the next few weeks, but declined to give details.

Last week, Dockwise said it placed the former Sealift/Frontline Suezmax tanker Marble, renamed Triumph, in dry dock at Cosco Guangdong Shipyard in China. The yard will convert the vessel into a heavylift vessel, swapping out the mid-ship section for a new mid-body.

The last four of the six single-hull Suezmax tankers converted to semi-submersible heavylift are scheduled to join the fleet this year, starting with Talisman which is due for delivery this month.

By the end of the year, Dockwise will have 22 purpose-built or converted semisub heavylift ships in operation.

"Dockwise is in a transition period," Goedee said.

"There are no plans for further capex spending on more assets. The jobs that we need to do and the ambition that we have can be done with the fleet we will have by the end of this year."


Tuesday, 06 May, 2008, 13:16 GMT  | last updated: Tuesday, 06 May, 2008, 13:16 GMT

Heavy lifter: Dockwise boss Andre Goedee stands by a model of one of the company's heavylift transport and installation vessels at the Offshore Technology Conference
 

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