America’s Harvey Gulf International Marine is following the lead of a number of northern European firms in the offshore sector by ordering a series of LNG-burning offshore support vessels (OSVs) and two deepwater construction vessels (CVs). All of the newbuildings are to be completed in US yards, with Florida’s Eastern Shipbuilding Group to finish the twin 340ft by 73ft CVs to an STX design, while Mississippi’s TY Offshore will build the six dual-fuel OSVs.
The latter, when completed, will make Harvey Gulf the world’s largest owner/operator of LNG-burning OSVs. At the same time, the two CVs, to be equipped with 250 metric ton capacity active heave compensated deck cranes, will position the company as the largest US-flag owner of such vessels, each having the ability to deploy over 135 tonnes to water depths of 3,500m. JS
