Norway: DOF Subsea Sells Its NB 771 to COA

DOF Subsea Rederi AS, a wholly owned subsidiary in the DOF Subsea AS group, has sold a ship under construction, yard no. 771 at STX OSV AS, to the Commonwealth of Australia (COA). The ship will be delivered to COA on delivery from the building yard, estimated to be first half of May, 2012.

The Skandi Bergen will add to the Royal Australian Navy’s current amphibious ships, HMAS Choules and HMAS Tobruk. The 6,500 tonne ship is 105m long and 21m wide. It has accommodation for up to 100 people, more than 1000 metres of deck area, and a helipad.

The purchase of the Skandi Bergen – at a cost of less than $130 million – will ensure that Defence has the humanitarian and disaster relief capability required between now and the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships in the middle of the decade.

It will primarily be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations domestically and in the region. The purchase of this vessel will also provide a long term capability for Customs and Border Protection.

After Defence introduces the LHDs into service, the vessel will be transferred to Customs and Border Protection.

The Skandi Bergen will be able to undertake patrols in the Southern Ocean providing surveillance, detection and apprehension of any vessels operating illegally. The vessel is able to operate in sub-Antarctic weather conditions. The commercial off-the-shelf vessel will require minimal modifications and will enter into service in the middle of the year and will be operated under a civilian crewing arrangement.

The Skandi Bergen is the sister ship of the ACV Ocean Protector, currently operated by Customs and Border Protection.

[mappress]

Source: defence.gov.au, March 19, 2012