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Skipsteknisk AS to design the World's largest Seismic Research Ship

Skipsteknisk AS of Aalesund, Norway has won the design and engineering contract for a new ship that will be the largest seismic research vessel in the world. The ship is ordered by Owner E. Forland Shipowners AS in Bergen, Norway. It is to be built by Bergen Yards and the delivery time is set to July 2007.
The ship, designated ST-327 (TBN "Geo Celtic") has a length over all of 100,8 m and a beam of 24 m. The accommodation will be arranged for 71 people and will be highly focused on high degree of comfort for the crew. There will be cinema, swimming pool, fitness area as well as internet cafe onboard. All crew members will have their own cabin.
The ship is already chartered by the seismic company Fugro-Geoteam AS for a six years period with an option for a 4 year extension.
The seismic outfitting of the vessel has a capacity of 12x10 km streamers from a 28 m wide cable deck and 10 gun arrays. The ship is designed with focus on an efficient and safe seismic operation as well as low operation cost, good sea-keeping capabilities, low outboard and inboard noise. It is further planned for taking all kinds of supplies onboard offshore including crew changes by helicopter. This enable the ship to be offshore for long periods only requiring port calls for special reasons.
For Skipsteknisk AS this is a major and comprehensive contract. With ST-327's gross tonnage of above 12 000 and a max displacement of abt. 11 600 she becomes the largest seismic research vessel in the world. The engineering work is already started and will last throughout the building period.
Source: Skipsteknisk AS