South Boats, MPI Workboats Ink Contract for Construction of Four WFSVs (UK)

South Boats Special Projects Ltd. and MPI Workboats Ltd. have signed a contract for the construction of four further vessels to join the existing eight South Boats built vessels in MPI Workboats’ fleet. MPI Workboats Ltd. is a wholly owned sudsiduary of MPI Offshore Ltd., which in turn is part of the Vroon Shipping Group. MPI Workboats operate eight crew transfer vessels, all built by South Boats, between 15m and 20m.

The four vessels are to be identical and first of class for a new breed of UK offshore wind farm support vessels. The South Catamaran 19m GL WFSV has been designed for and with MPI Workboats Ltd. to meet the changing and ever more demanding requirements of supporting UK offshore wind farms. The criteria was to produce a vessel that featured high performance, reduced fuel consumption and higher levels of passenger comfort, but all coupled to the usual highlights and benefits expected from a South Catamaran such as superior sea-keeping, unrivalled build quality and class leading cargo carrying capabilities. This series is powered by twin MAN V12-1200hp main engines coupled to Rolls Royce FF600 water jets for sprint speeds approaching 30 knots.

The vessels are to be delivered between February and September 2013. There are options for a further four vessels to be delivered into 2014, taking the South Boats built MPI fleet to sixteen WFSV’s

Ben Colman of South Boats is quoted as saying “I am delighted to be able to announce this order on behalf of South Boats. South Boats and MPI have a long standing relationship, which has developed since we signed our first contract in 2008. MPI have always set us an interesting challenge for a first of class vessel and a unique design and these vessels are no exception. We look forward to finalising the design with the MPI team and delivering the vessels next year. The third of the series will be exhibited at Seawork 2014”.

Leslie Robertson, General Manager of MPI Workboats Ltd. is quoted as saying “I am delighted to announce the latest extension to our new build programme. Together with South Boats Special Projects we are now building another four impressive additions to our workboat fleet. The construction of these vessels clearly shows MPI’s commitment to both the wind farm maintenance sector and also to innovation. Our vessels and crew are always in high demand and I feel confident that we are rapidly moving towards the position required to embrace the challenges of the fast-moving wind industry.”

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, May 18, 2012; Image: southboatsgroup