A new Field Support Vessel being built at the Crist shipyard in Gdynia, Poland, to operate on the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, will feature a full propulsion scope from Steerprop.
Vessel operating conditions on the Grand Banks are considered extremely challenging due to heavy seas, fog and icebergs. This emphasises the importance of the ship’s thrusters in maintaining dynamic positioning and facilitating safe and reliable operations. Steerprop says its capabilities in providing this level of efficiency were cited as being important considerations in the contract award.
Juho Rekola, Director Sales and Project Management, Steerprop, said: “This project underlines our strengths and expertise in enabling vessels to cope effectively with challenging operations in demanding conditions. Manoeuvrability is critical in these circumstances, and our fit-for-purpose solutions ensure reliability and safety when it is needed the most.”
The vessel is on order from DOF Group of Norway. It is expected to enter service in the first half of 2027. Steerprop’s thruster solutions will enable 100t bollard pull, DP3 capabilities, and Ice Class 1A ratings.
The full scope includes two azimuth thrusters for main propulsion, two tunnel thrusters and a retractable thruster. Steerprop will provide condition monitoring services and seal wear monitoring for the shaft seals. Deliveries of the equipment will commence in summer 2025. The 110m long vessel is based on the MMC Ship Design & Marine Consulting 995L SBC hull design, with accommodation for 164 personnel. It will feature MAN 175D methanol-ready engines and a large battery capacity.
Image: The new field support vessel for DOF Group will be equipped with Steerprop thrusters: two SP 50 WD, two SP 25 TT and one SP 20 R (credit: DOF Group)
