Finnish designed offshore vessels to be built in China

Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Ltd, in China, is set to build four multi-purpose platform support vessels (MPSVs) based on a design prototype from Finnish marine power and propulsion provider, Wärtsilä.

Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Ltd, which is a subsidiary yard of Malaysia's largest offshore support vessels builder, Nam Cheong Limited, signed the contract with Wärtsilä last month.

The Finnish company has also been contracted to supply a comprehensive solutions package for each of the vessels. In addition to the design, it will provide the main power generation system, propulsion system, Wärtsilä Low Loss Concept (LLC) electrical system and automation system for all four vessels.

According to Wärtsilä, the WSD 1000 MPSV design is tailored to meet the specific requirements and operational modes demanded in complex off shore applications.

Magnus Miemois, Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Power, Solutions, said: “The synergistic benefits provided by Wärtsilä in supplying a comprehensive and fully integrated package, including the ship design, highly efficient propulsion machinery, and state-of-the-art automation systems, add real value for the customer."

A statement released by the company also said that the single supplier concept reduces the time and costs associated with the procurement and logistics procedures, while easing typical project completion concerns.

The vessels are being built for Armada Offshore MPSV Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bumi Armada Berhad, a Malaysian-based international offshore oilfield services provider and also the largest owner and operator of offshore support vessels in Malaysia.

The order follows the successful execution of a similar MPSV order in 2011 for Bumi Armada Berhad featuring a Wärtsilä ship design and fully integrated Wärtsilä machinery, electrics and automation.