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IHC Merwede keeps sapura pipelayer build in the family Tower Installed “This is actually a big IHC Merwede milestone,” Project Manager Romald Peeters stated. On 8 January the project team for new build Sapura Diamante bolted two steel hinge pins into place – securing not only the flexlay tower to the vessel’s deck, but also securing a place in IHC Merwede’s history. As outfitting of the 550t capacity pipelayer continued apace ahead of seatrials in spring, Mr Peeters outlined their achievement for ShipBuilding Industry’s John Gauldie. words by john gauldie Photo courtesy of IHC Merwede

Pipelay vessel Sapura Diamante launched last year, is due for seatrials in spring. Second in the series, Sapura Topázio was scheduled for launch as ShipBuilding Industry went to print. or the first time, IHC Merwede has engineered and integrated all of a pipelayer’s key functional equipment – a fully in-house designed and built pipelay tower as well as its DP-operated platform. This achievement fulfils the group’s strategic goal following its acquisition of UK-based IHC Engineering Business in 2008 and sets a new standard in shipbuilding efficiency for complex offshore construction vessels. In...

SPECS Owner Builder Sapura Navegação Marítima IHC Merwede Length o.a. Breadth moulded Depth to main deck Draught (operational) Draught (max) Deadweight (operational) Deadweight (max) Accommodation Classification The second in the series, Sapura Topázio (build no 729), was scheduled for launch at the yard as this article went to print. At the launch of Sapura Diamante in September, SapuraKencana’s Project Manager Mark Allpress commented: “Sapura is pleased to be working with IHC Merwede on the building of this series of sophisticated flexible pipelay vessels. With proven technologies, IHC Merwede...

high-value pipelay vessels – in particular a series of vessels for Subsea 7 for which IHC Offshore & Marine designed and built the DP-operated platform. Mr Peeters: “We’ve shown that we meet or improve on our milestones – we deliver on time.” IHC Merwede’s strong financial position also helps customers in financing construction. Additionally, Mr Peeters said the buffer capacity created by IHC Merwede’s many facilities creates a lot of flexibility to distribute work in-house – further reducing risk for the customer. IHC Engineering Business is a wellestablished supplier of custom-built, highspecification...