Swire Pacific Offshore to build 6 new V-class AHTS vessels
February 2007

In the second half of 2005, Swire Pacific Offshore placed an order for 6 new vessels to be built by the Labroy shipyard in Batam, Indonesia. The new vessel class, designed by IMT Marine Consultants Ltd., will be 8,810 BHP AHTS based on the innovative IMT966 design in collaboration with Swire Pacific Offshore. They will be named Pacific Valhalla, Pacific Valkyrie, Pacific Vanguard, Pacific Victory, Pacific Viper and Pacific Vixen.

The V-Class has been specifically designed to replace the ageing but iconic UT704 design, which has been the offshore standard workhorse since the 1980s. Swire Pacific Offshore has upgraded and modernised the design for vessels in this horsepower range, the objective being to produce the ultimate replacement intended to be ideal for all-round rig support and towage.

The design aims are to have sufficient power to tow a variety of rigs and, at the same time, a large enough deadweight capacity (about 2,500 tonnes) to ensure the vessel is efficient in supply mode as well. The vessels in this class have also been constructed with fuel economy in mind, expected to achieve a minimum bollard pull of 120 tonnes with twin engines at a horsepower rating of 8,810 BHP. The latest in Dynamic Positioning (DP) technology will also be supported, as well as capability to achieve FiFi classification. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered starting from mid-2007 onwards.