The Netherlands: Huisman Wins Maritime Innovation Award

Huisman, the specialist in lifting, drilling and subsea solutions, won the Maritime Innovation Award yesterday for their Dual Multi Purpose Tower. The awards were handed out during the Martime Awards Gala in Rotterdam.

Besides Huisman, the Greenforce Ball Joint of Vosta LMG, the Ship Energy Management System of Imtech Marine Netherlands and the Pipe Shop of Kranendonk Production Systems were nominated. During the Maritime Awards Gala the VSNI Wim Timmerprize, the KNVR Shipping Award and the KNVT Ship of the Year award were also handed out.

Huisman’s Dual Multi Purpose Tower (DMPT) is a drilling tower without the limitations of a conventional drilling tower (a derrick) when handling the drilling equipment. This means that the drilling process can be much more efficient, safer, and logistically easier. In addition the use of a DMPT allows for an optimized vessel design.

The first two drilling towers in accordance with this design were a real step change and were installed in 2009 and 2010 onboard the Noble/Shell Bully I and the Noble/Shell Bully II drillships. In 2011 a DMPT was installed onboard the Noble Globetrotter I. This year the Noble Globetrotter II will follow. A unique feature of the last mentioned drillships is the fact that they are built based on an integrated Huisman design, the HuisDrill 12000. Besides the improved efficiency and safety, the water displacement of these vessels is halved compared to the conventional drillships. Because of this the fuel consumption is decreased and with that also the operational costs.

With the Dual Multi Purpose Tower, Huisman confirms its leading role in developing and producing innovative solutions. The drilling rig is a true Dutch design and the DMPT is also manufactured in the Netherlands. A significant added value for the Dutch maritime sector is thus guaranteed.

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Huisman, November 9, 2012