Dutch floater specialist SBM Offshore and Norwegian vessel owner Solstad Offshore have established a joint venture. This new entity has entered into a letter of intent with a selected shipyard for the construction of a new multi-purpose deepwater installation and construction vessel. The vessel is anticipated to be delivered in the first half of 2029.
This newbuild will primarily be utilized to support the installation of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units. Additionally, it will facilitate the deployment of various subsea components and infrastructure crucial for offshore energy projects.
For freight forwarders and project logistics managers, this new vessel represents a future increase in specialized heavy-lift and subsea installation capacity. While the delivery is several years away, it signals ongoing investment in the offshore energy sector, potentially impacting the availability and pricing of specialized tonnage for large-scale project cargo in the long term. Forwarders involved in EPC projects for oil and gas or offshore wind should note this development as it contributes to the global fleet of vessels capable of handling complex deepwater installations.
