Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group has been contracted to deliver a new offshore supply vessel using its new DOC 8500 design after a deal between Maersk Supply Service and DeepOcean.

With plans to extend its deep offshore cable-laying capacity, DeepOcean has ordered a cablelay ship based on the new DOC (Deep Offshore Carrier) 8500 design from Damen, which will be used on a long-term charter by Maersk Supply, joining the latter’s 60-strong supply fleet.

Tony Inglis, UK managing director of DeepOcean, promises the new ship will allow his company to combine offshore power cable and umbilical installation capabilities. He stated: “The versatile new vessel will be well suited for installation and burial projects using its 7,000 tonne carousel from land-fall to deepwater and also in remote geographical locations.”

Damen is due to deliver the new unit from its shipyard in Galati, Romania and it will be owned and operated by Maersk Supply Service. Measuring 138 m (452 ft) in length and 27.5m (90 ft) in width, the DOC 8500 features 2,200 sq m (7,216 sq ft) of deck space.

Offshore