Swire Pacific Offshore Receives Seventh D Class Vessel

Shipowner and operator, Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Ltd (SPO) welcomed another new anchor handling tug supply vessel, Pacific Dispatch to its fleet with her launch and naming ceremony. This vessel is built by Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine) shipyard in Singapore.

More than a hundred representatives from SPO and ST Marine attended the event, held at the shipyard of ST Marine. The launch and naming ceremony was graced by Lady Sponsor, Mrs Ofelia J. Villanueva, President of Anscor Swire Ship Management Dependents Association (an organisation that provides support to the families of SPO’s Filipino seafarers). Mrs Villanueva’s husband, Mr Lino Villanueva, joined Swire Pacific Offshore in 1984 and served as a Captain from 1988 to 2013.

“The launch of Pacific Dispatch is another important step for the Company as we continue to develop our fleet of high specification anchor handling tug supply vessels. The D Class series has enjoyed a successful entry into service and each new vessel allows us to extend its presence across our key markets, supporting our customers with safe, high quality performance and service,” says Managing Director, Mr Neil Glenn.

Pacific Dispatch is the fifth of a series of six D Class vessels built under contract from ST Marine for SPO. Similar to the sister vessels in the D Class series, Pacific Dispatch is specially built to SPS 2008 and Ice-Class Notations and it has advanced technical capabilities to support the latest generation of semi-submersible rigs while ensuring fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The vessel is equipped with DP2 systems and boasts a clear deck space of 650 square metres. The main propulsion engine powers the vessel with 17,864 Brake Horsepower (BHP) certified to IMO Tier II standards. The large capacity 500 MT RRM Brattvagg winches, latest dynamic positioning technology, enhanced station keeping with independent drop down azimuth thruster, anchor recovery frame (ARF) and provisions crane provide the vessel with added flexibility, versatility and safety. Please refer to Appendix A for the Fact Sheet of Pacific Dispatch.

“We are pleased and honoured to be working with Swire Pacific Offshore, one of the world’s largest owners and operators of offshore support vessels. We share similar values in wanting the best for our customers and always striving to excel. This successful launch of the fifth vessel is testament to our collective abilities to bring the best of both companies together to produce positive results. We look forward and will strive to ensure this excellent partnership is maintained and contribute to Swire Pacific Offshore growing their fleet in support of their customers in the burgeoning offshore oil and gas industry,” says President of ST Marine, Mr Ng Sing Chan.

SPO is projected to have 100 vessels by the end of 2015, including a total of eight D Class vessels. To date, vessels in the D Class series delivered include Pacific Defiance (February 2013), Pacific Diligence (April 2013) and Pacific Dolphin (August 2013). Pacific Dove and Pacific Duchess have been launched and will be delivered by the first quarter of 2014. Pacific Dispatch is scheduled to be delivered by middle of 2014, followed by Pacific Dragon at the end of 2014.

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SPO, December 23, 2013