Vickers Ulstein Marine Systems News

A recent clutch of 'Rolls-Royce' shipboard equipment and technology contracts in Norway arising out of specialized, capital-intensive newbuild projects testified to the U.K. group's march into the commercial marine domain. For sure, the emergence of the engineering group's name in new mercantile circles is the outcome of last year's acquisition of Vickers, and its Vickers-Ulstein Marine division, rather than the result of U.K. home-grown product diversification. But the new proprietor of the former Ulstein and Vickers' interests intends to build on the platform and integrated system opportunities offered by ownership of the industry's most extensive global network of marine equipment production.

Crowley Marine Services recently accepted the delivery of Alert - the first of a trio of new 140 ft. 10,192-hp Prevention and Rescue Response Tugs (PRT's) under contract with the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for use in both Valdez Harbor and Prince William Sound, Alaska. The general purpose PRT's are powered by twin Caterpillar 3612B engines generating the combined 10,192-hp driving two Kamewa Aquamaster azimuthing thrusters. The tugs are also equipped for firefighting, emergency response and oil spill recovery. Recent sea trial proved Alert was able to generate a certified bollard pull of 300,000-lbs., and a free running speed in excess of 16 knots. The entire PRT trio was designed by Guido Perla & Associates, and was constructed at Dakota Creek Shipyard in Anacortes, Wash.

Ulstein Nordvestconsult (UNVC), part of Vickers Ulstein Marine Systems, was awarded a contract comprised of the design of two 5,950-dwt RoPax ferries for a Greek shipowner. Anek Lines is set to operate the vessels, which will carry trailers, cars and passengers, between Chania and Piraeus. Scheduled for construction at Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder AS, Norway, the RoPax ships are slated for delivery in October 2000 and will measure 656-ft. (200 m) with a beam of 85-ft. (25.8 m). Each vessel will travel at a service speed of 27.5 knots and hold a certificate for 1,500 passengers.

Largely complementary operations, a strong base in terms of volume and technologies, plus considerable synergy potential, provided a solid platform for the coupling of the marine equipment and design activities of Norway's Ulstein group and the British-owned, specialized engineering force Vickers. At a stroke, the combined strengths represented in Vickers Ulstein Marine Systems made the new entity the leader in specific market segments. However, its wide-ranging capabilities provide the requisite resources to increase penetration in existing areas of engagement and break into new markets. Just as the organization has quickly acted on its considerably widened package supply potential…

After last year's impressive increase in visitor numbers, this year's ShipRepair & Conversion Exposition is well on its way to comparable success with more than 180 companies already registered to exhibit their wares at the show. The expo, which includes representatives from more than 35 countries, will be held November 10-11 at London's Olympia Hall. Boasting a large variety of attendees such as shipowners, ship managers, marine engineers and conversion specialists, ShipRepair & Conversion 99 expects to be 20 percent larger than last year's expo. Returning exhibitors include: BP Shipping, Shell International, Stena Line, P&O Cruises and P&O North Sea Ferries.

Vickers Ulstein Marine Systems' specialist offshore design company, Ulstein Ship Technology, has signed three separate contracts to supply designs and equipment packages for offshore support vessels. Two UT755s are currently on order for different owners at Brevik Construction in Norway, and a UT722 on order at Orskov Christensen's Staalkibsvaerft in Denmark. Total value of the contract trio to Vickers amounts to $18.5 million. Ulstein Ship Technology's most recent contract stands with Brevik Construction for the provision of the design and equipment package for a standard UT755 platform supply vessel to be constructed for Norwegian owner Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskap.