China’s 50,000dwt semi-submersible Xiang Yun Kou has been employed to carry the cylindrical offshore unit Arendal Spirit from her builder’s yard in China to a position off the coast of Brazil, where she will work a three-year contract with Petrobras.
The unique accommodation vessel, called a ‘Unit for Safety and Maintenance’ (UMS), is owned by Vancouver, Canada-headquartered Teekay Group and contains 500 beds in 248 cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms, along with lounge areas, coffee shop, television/games room, fitness room, dining room, office areas and cinema. Her design provides several advantages compared to traditional accommodation vessels, including excellent motion characteristics, which results in less seasickness, as well as better stability and more deck and storage space. She is the first of three UMS vessels to be built by China’s COSCO. JS
