Damen Set to Launch New PSV Series

Damen Shipyards will unveil its new Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) at EUROPORT 2011 and will launch a complete PSV range in the next few months. The PSV 3300 E3 is a dedicated supply vessel to transport supplies to oil and gas rigs and is specifically designed to perform safely in adverse weather conditions. The first two vessels will be built at the renowned Damen shipyard in Galati, Romania. Delivery is scheduled for early 2013. Damen’s new vessel series will range from the smallest PSV of 1,500 dwt to the largest of approximately 6,500 dwt. The new range of vessels is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2012.
Although the series of vessels are primarily designed as PSVs, the platforms can also serve as a basis for other offshore support services such as diving support, drilling or well stimulation. The vessels can also play a role in oil recovery and firefighting operations. A unique eye-catching design, with a well-designed, sleek bow makes the PSV 3300 E3 a distinctive vessel. The vessel boasts a large 700 m² main deck and can carry 10% more cargo than Damen’s former PSV. Even though it has a larger cargo capacity, the new vessel will have improved speed performance with the same engine size, facilitating significant savings in fuel costs and emissions. This vessel follows on from the Damen PSV 3000 of which nearly 20 have been built so far. Damen has spent a lot of time on Research & Development and model tests of the new 80 m long vessel. This resulted in a modern hull with lower resistance and extremely good seakeeping behaviour. Mark Couwenberg, one of the ship’s designers, describes the vessel as a “sea truck” because it offers efficient, reliable and safe logistics at sea.
He stresses that the new vessel type has benefited from design input from the PSV 3300’s Norwegian client and from operational studies carried out on Damen PSV 3000 vessels operating in the North Sea. “We examined the logbooks and asked the crew to fill in questionnaires. We really looked at how these vessels were being used and all of this input was fed into the new PSV 3300 design. This added to extensive experience that we had already built up from our designs for the Brazilian market, where more than 15 of these vessels are operating to the full satisfaction of their owners.”
“We have spent considerable time on extensive CFD studies to investigate and optimise the hull shape. A model of the resulting hull has been tested at Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (Marin) to verify the results,” he adds. The slender hull reduces fuel oil consumption, not only in calm water but especially in rough seas.
Slamming has been reduced to very low levels, which results in improved comfort and safety for the crew, vessel and cargo. Safety and comfort have been given a high priority in the new vessel. Accommodation is designed to the current standards in the 24/7 offshore industry and each cabin has access to the Internet, radio and television.  The vessel provides a very safe working environment, especially on deck but also in all other working areas. Additionally, there is a safe, sheltered foredeck.
The Damen mind-set during the design process is to reduce the impact vessels have on the environment and to build ships according to the Damen E3 principles that take into account the needs of the planet, the people operating the ship and the owner’s need to make a profit: Environmentally friendly, Efficient in operation and Economically viable. “The starting point here was the right hull because this is vital in reducing fuel consumption,” stresses Jan van Os, Product Director Damen Offshore & Transport. “Every tonne of fuel saved translates to a reduction of emissions.” In addition, the vessels fulfil the latest requirements of Clean Design and Environmental Protection standards of the major classification societies. The location of oil tanks, hull coatings, refrigerants, ballast water and other environmental aspects were also given special attention.
All in all, Damen expects the PSV 3300 E3 and its smaller and larger sister vessels to be a successful design. Mr van Os says: “Essentially, the new PSV is more productive, more environmentally friendly and has many interesting features.