First ever LNG-powered semi-submersible crane vessel completed

Sleipnir; Image courtesy of Heerema

Singapore-based Sembcorp Marine has completed Heerema’s Sleipnir semi-submersible crane vessel, dubbed the biggest and strongest in the world, and the first LNG-powered vessel of its kind.

Sleipnir; Image courtesy of Heerema

Heerema said last week that the world’s biggest semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) was set to enter service in the coming months.

SSCV Sleipnir has a 220-meter by 102-metre reinforced deck area, making it the largest crane vessel to be built. It is also equipped with two 10,000-tonne revolving cranes which can lift loads of up to 20,000 tonnes in tandem. According to the company, no other existing crane vessel has this capability.

Sleipnir can accommodate 400 persons and will be deployed globally for installing and removing jackets, topsides, deep-water foundations, moorings, and other offshore structures.

The vessel stands out as the world’s first crane vessel with dual-fuel engines running on marine gas oil (MGO) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) which makes it able to operate sustainably across all environmental jurisdictions.

Heerema has already secured contracts to deploy the vessel in various offshore energy developments, including the Leviathan topsides installation in the Mediterranean Sea, Tyra jackets and topsides installation and removal in the Danish North Sea, Brae B jackets and topsides removal in the UK North Sea, as well as transportation and installation of the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) Alpha HVAC platform in the North Sea, off the Dutch coast.

The company added that the vessel would leave for sea trials shortly and was scheduled for delivery to Heerema soon afterward.