Aker Wayfarer to Get Rolls-Royce Handling System

Rolls-Royce has signed a contract to supply a complete module handling system to the subsea construction vessel Aker Wayfarer.

The $38.7 million (£24 million) contract marks the largest single subsea vessel project ever undertaken by Rolls-Royce.

The Rolls-Royce automated handling system consists of a complete tower structure, skid system, deepwater lifting system as well as power units and controls. The deepwater lifting system is a Fibre Rope Deployment System (FRDS), based on our patented Cable Traction Control Unit (CTCU) technology. The equipment is due for a delivery in the first quarter of 2016.

John Knudsen, Rolls-Royce President Commercial Marine, said: “This a very important contract for Rolls-Royce and it shows that the offshore industry has taken yet another step in accepting the superior performance of synthetic fibre ropes for lifting operations in deep and ultra-deep waters.”

A similar system was installed by Rolls-Royce in 2009 onboard the AKOFS operated subsea equipment support vessel Skandi Santos, which has now been on contract with Petrobras for nearly five years. The vessel has successfully installed and retrieved subsea trees and modules in water depths up to 2300 meters.

Geir Sjøberg, CEO of AKOFS Offshore, said: “Skandi Santos has been rated by Petrobras as one of their top performing vessels. Its track record makes us confident in the decision to install the handling system from Rolls-Royce on Aker Wayfarer.”

Press Release