Ulstein International News

A race is being run by nuclear scientists and ship designers. The prize? “Decarbonization’s” holy grail — believed to be a “small” thorium-fueled, molten-salt rector’s unlimited power to propel sea trade. At the same time, a recently revived discussion among leading marine-nuclear thinkers revolves now around how to put an ultra-modern, as-yet non-existent marine reactor aboard a modern commercial vessel. As with nuclear power generally, shipborne reactors produce national discussion first, then discovery.

Offshore vessel Seven Viking is the result of the stringent technical requirements that characterize most sophisticated offshore vessels. What makes this Ulstein designed vessel outstanding is the focus that has been placed on ensuring that the crew can deliver peak operational performance from this complex and versatile asset no matter what task is set for it. Seven Viking is a tailor-made solution for inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR), survey and light construction and is employed on long-term charter with Statoil in the North Sea.

A letter of intent was signed on the 5th of September 2007, in respect of the contemplated acquisition of a majority stake by the Ulstein Group in Netherlands based Sea of Solutions as per January 2008. The deal is subject to a positive outcome of the Due Diligence process. Managing director Tore Ulstein of Ulstein International pointed to the similarities between Sea of Solutions and the Ulstein Group, and Bob Rietveldt, commercial director of Sea of Solutions, said that joining the Ulstein Group will allow Sea of Solutions to grow. The Ulstein Group and Sea of Solutions are both part of strong national maritime clusters: Ulstein at Sunnmøre, Norway, and Sea of Solutions in the Dutch Maritime cluster.