Wilson Sons Shipyard is expected to complete by mid-May the conversion of a PSV (supply vessel) into OSRV (Oil Spill Combat) for Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore, a group support company in partnership with Chile’s Ultratug . The work, started in March, aims to meet a two-year agreement signed with Petrobras.
In practice, the Gaivota will no longer be a vessel that operates solid bulk to act as an oil removal vessel in case of leaks, with the capacity to store up to 760 m³ of oil. Wilson Sons Shipyard executive director, Adalberto Souza, pointed out that this conversion is a complex operation, but that the work is on schedule.
For the new function, Wilson Sons will alter part of the network and pipeline structure, adjust the tanks that will be used to receive recovered oil and install new equipment. The vessel also goes through docking, which involves maintenance and repair procedures to preserve structural, mechanical, electrical and aesthetic integrity. Made in 2003, the Gaivota was the second PSV built by the shipyard.
Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore Executive Director, Gustavo Machado, explained that the Gaivota was chosen for this conversion because of its technical characteristics, such as tanks arrangement, main deck and dynamic positioning system. “The diversification of types of operation performed by the fleet vessels is strategic for us, this conversion is in line with our vision for the future. OSRV Gaivota has a two-year contract with Petrobras, which may be extended for the same period, “Machado said.
In addition to the Gaivota, the Wilson Sons yard will receive another 18 docking craft in 2018. This demand includes nine Saam Smit tugs, seven Wilson Sons Tugboats and two other Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore PSVs.
Corvettes –
Dutch Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and Wilson Sons Shipyard held meetings with 18 local suppliers in Guarujá (SP). The objective is to join efforts with service providers in the shipbuilding segment of Brazil aiming at competitive partnerships to dispute the Tamandaré class corvette construction project for the Brazilian Navy. René Berkvens, CEO of Damen, noted that the company has experience in corvette construction in the Netherlands, Mexico and Indonesia. “In these meetings, we want to share our vision with local suppliers and discuss the opportunities that the construction of these corvettes would bring to the companies involved and to the market,” he said.
Source: Portos e Navios Magazine
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