On June 22, the joint venture established by CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering Pte Ltd (CIMC Raffles), Norway’s renowned offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore, and SBM Offshore, a global leader in marine energy solutions, formally signed a contract for the construction of a new-generation deepwater multi-purpose offshore installation vessel. According to information previously disclosed by the vessel owner, the new vessel is expected to be delivered in the first half of 2029.
The vessel measures 132.6 meters in length and 32 meters in width, with a complement of 100 persons. It is equipped with a 500-tonne active heave-compensated (AHC) crane, a winch system, a rotary table system, an A-frame, an outboard handling system (OBS), and an ROV launch and recovery system (ROV LARS). Designed and built to “Methanol Ready” standards, the vessel features DP2 dynamic positioning capability and is classed by DNV.
This offshore installation vessel is being developed by a joint venture established by Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore, in which Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore hold 50.1% and 49.9% of the shares, respectively. Upon delivery, the vessel will be operated and managed by Solstad Offshore, while SBM Offshore will have priority access to it, with a long-term charter agreement ensuring stable demand for its core offshore engineering projects.
This vessel was developed through a collaboration between Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore, leveraging their long-standing partnership and the proven operational systems of the Normand Installer. Designed in conjunction with Salt Ship Design—incorporating optimizations and upgrades to meet the latest demands of the deepwater offshore engineering market—the vessel is primarily intended for FPSO and subsea installation operations. Capable of handling complex conditions in both shallow and deep waters, it boasts a maximum operating depth of 4,000 meters and possesses advanced, comprehensive offshore engineering capabilities.
Headquartered in Norway, Solstad Offshore is one of the world’s leading owners of offshore engineering vessels. It operates one of the largest fleets of high-end offshore engineering vessels and has extensive project experience in offshore oil and gas development, offshore engineering construction, and offshore renewable energy.
Headquartered in the Netherlands, SBM Offshore is a major player in the global offshore energy industry and a global leader in the design, construction, installation, and long-term operation of floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) units. The company possesses extensive technical expertise and global project experience in deepwater oil and gas development and integrated engineering services.
In recent years, CIMC Raffles has continued to focus on the high-end offshore engineering equipment sector, accumulating extensive experience in the design, construction, and project delivery of FPSOs, offshore platforms, offshore support vessels, and specialized engineering vessels, and has established a comprehensive international engineering management and manufacturing system.