Company chief Edward Heerema explained that these two elements go hand in hand.
Putting the stinger at the stern as is the case on the company's existing pipelayers Lorelay and Solitaire means the aft-ship area needs to be strengthened and widened, with adverse effect on transit speed.
Solitaire's transit speed is only 12.5 knots, whereas Audacia's specification sheet lists 16 knots.
Heerema said there are no additional reasons to choose this new configuration.
