Drydocks World’s Dubai shipyard has announced it has secured a contract from Orwell Offshore to fabricate an external turret for FPSO Layang.


Completion time for the project is Q1 2016. The yard recalled it has successfully delivered similar external turrets for FPSOs and FSRUs.


“The external turret for Orwell Offshore will deliver significant improvements in operational effectiveness and weathervaning capabilities on FPSO Layang, enabling FPSO operations in water depths of up to 90 m,” a Drydocks World statement said.


“Drydocks World has constructed massive-scale projects for world renowned offshore companies, demonstrating the yard’s vast fabrication capacity while ensuring excellence in safety and quality,” it added.


In another development, Drydocks World and Maritime World held a steel cutting ceremony for the Middle East’s first LNG powered harbour tug Elemarateyah. Held in the yard’s steel fabrication centre, the project demonstrated the shipyard’s innovative approach to providing maritime and energy sector solutions, the statement said.


“This landmark undertaking represents a major breakthrough in the future of green technology and sets the course towards a green economy for sustainable development. The large global reserves of gas and the energy efficiency of LNG fuel, compounded by stringent emissions standards, position LNG as a commercially viable opportunity,” Drydocks World said.


“LNG fuel has almost double the energy content of MDO fuel, with LNG approximately reducing emissions of NOx by 85 per cent and CO2 by 25 per cent. LNG as an alternative energy source is gaining momentum as the ‘fuel of the future’ among the global maritime community and Drydocks World strives to be a pioneer in implementing this green technology throughout their facilities, wholeheartedly supporting the Government of Dubai’s environmental initiatives.”


The tug is due to be completed in May 2016. Drydocks World has embarked on this project with active participation from Wartsila, which is supplying the main engine, and Tasneef, which is providing classification services.


Drydocks World Group met with experts from the global offshore energy industry that came together from around the world for the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) that was held from May 4 to 7 in Houston, Texas, US.