IHC Merwede Launches Sapura Pipelayer

IHC Merwede has successfully named and launched the pipelaying vessel Sapura Topázipo in a ceremony at the company’s shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands. The naming of the fully integrated IHC Merwede vessel was carried out by Puan Sri Datin Seri Yazreen Yahya, spouse of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Shahril Shamsuddin, President and Group CEO of SapuraKencana.

The 550t pipelaying vessel – ordered by Sapura Navegação Marítima, a joint venture between SapuraKencana and Seadrill – is the second in a series of five fully integrated offshore vessels, which will be completely designed, engineered and built by IHC Merwede. After delivery, the Sapura Topázipo is – like her sister vessel, the Sapura Diamante – destined to go to Brazilian waters to develop deepsea oilfields of up to 2,500 meters on behalf of Petrobras.

The Sapura Topázipo will be equipped with a pipelaying spread designed by IHC Engineering Business. She comprises two below-deck storage carousels, with capacities for 2,500t and 1,500t of product respectively. A vertical (tiltable) lay system – with a 550t top tension capacity – will be permanently installed for the deployment of a range of flexible products. The tower orientation allows for maximum deck space, while utilizing a high-capacity 610t abandonment and recovery (A&R) system. A custom-designed control system from IHC Drives & Automation integrates each aspect of the pipelaying spread to ensure excellent performance, safety and reliability.

“Two years ago we signed a contract with Sapura Navegação Marítima for two pipelaying vessels,” said Arjan Klijnsoon, Managing Director of IHC Merwede’s Offshore division. “In August 2013, we signed another contract for a further three innovative vessels. With a total of five ships, Sapura Navegação Marítima has entrusted IHC Merwede with an impressive order and overall project. The construction and launch of the SAPURA TOPÁZIO is on schedule, which proves that we are a reliable partner for such complex vessels, particularly considering that all of the others are also on target.”

Name: Sapura Topázipo
Type: 550t pipelaying vessel
Customer: Sapura Navegação Marítima
Builder: IHC Offshore & Marine BV
Length overall: 145.9m
Breadth molded: 29.9m
Depth main deck: 13m
Draught (operational): 7.2m
Draught (max): 8.3m
Deadweight (operational): 7,025t
Deadweight (max): 10,070t
Accommodation: 120 people

ihcmerwede.com