Seapiper: Boskalis Fjell Conversion to Subsea Rock Vessel
Seapiper: Boskalis Fjell Conversion to Subsea Rock Vessel
Conversion of Boskalis transport vessel Fjell into subsea rock installation vessel Seapiper
Boskalis, one of the world's leading maritime service providers, commissioned Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam to provide the basic design package for the conversion of the submersible transport vessel Fjell into the subsea rock installation vessel Seapiper.
The Fjell was part of Boskalis’ heavy marine transport fleet until 2022. Boskalis decided to convert the submersible transport vessel into a subsea rock installation vessel. The conversion project involved significant modifications to the Fjell to transform it into a specialized vessel capable of handling the demanding requirements of subsea rock installation operations.
Conversion Scope
Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam was commissioned to provide the basic design package of the conversion. The main conversion scope consisted of adding a fallpipe tower, moonpool, remotely operated tool, two electric excavators, cranes, conveyor belts, additional accommodation, two additional thrusters and two large holds that can carry a total of 15,000 tons of rock. The conversion was performed in Singapore.
Specifications
The Seapiper will be used for the installation of rocks and other materials for subsea pipeline and cable protection, as well as for rock installation around offshore platform and wind turbine foundations and their scour protection. The vessel's versatile capabilities will make it a valuable addition to Boskalis' fleet, enabling the company to expand its range of services in the offshore energy market.
We wish the crew of the Seapiper a safe journey and good luck with the execution of the first project.
About Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam
The successful conversion of the Fjell into the Seapiper is a testament to Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam's commitment to providing innovative engineering solutions that meet the specific needs of its clients. Our expertise in naval architecture, marine engineering, and offshore technology has been instrumental in the successful completion of the project. The conversion of the submersible transport vessel Fjell into an offshore installation vessel has strong similarities to earlier conversions of such vessels for which Vuyk performed the engineering. Prior to this project, Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam has been involved in the design of multiple rock installation vessels and other offshore installation assets.
Picture courtesy: Boskalis
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