SBM Offshore and Solstad order new deepwater construction vessel

SBM Offshore and Solstad Offshore have officially announced a strategic joint venture to commission a state-of-the-art multi-purpose deepwater installation and construction vessel. This newbuild project, currently under a letter of intent with a premier shipyard, is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2027. The vessel is designed to bolster deepwater infrastructure capabilities, reflecting a significant capital investment aimed at enhancing subsea installation efficiency and supporting complex offshore energy projects globally as demand for specialized tonnage continues rising.

The construction and operation of this vessel must strictly adhere to the IMO’s International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), specifically Chapter II-1 regarding construction and machinery, and the MARPOL Annex VI regulations concerning energy efficiency design indices. Furthermore, the vessel will be built to meet stringent classification society requirements for dynamic positioning (DP3) and offshore support operations. Compliance departments must ensure that all onboard systems, including life-saving appliances and pollution prevention equipment, align with the latest MLC 2006 standards to guarantee optimal crew safety and environmental regulatory adherence.

This advanced vessel will create significant opportunities for masters and navigating officers, particularly those with specialized experience in dynamic positioning and subsea construction operations. These professionals must familiarize themselves with the latest integrated bridge systems and complex offshore installation protocols. For navigating officers, mastering the vessel’s sophisticated DP3 control systems will be essential for maintaining operational safety during critical subsea lifts and deepwater deployment tasks in challenging maritime environments.