Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd (Keppel Singmarine), the specialised shipbuilding arm of Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited (Keppel O&M), has delivered a platform supply geotechnical vessel on schedule to Greatship Global Offshore Services Pte. Ltd (Greatship).The vessel has been bareboat chartered to GC Rieber Shipping Asia Pte Ltd (GC Rieber).

Unlike standard platform supply vessels, Greatship Maya is a multi-functional enhanced offshore support vessel equipped with drilling unit, which is capable of operating at water depths of up to 1,800 metres. She is also able to perform real-time in-situ tests from downhole or seabed mode as well as various geotechnical laboratory tests onboard.

The 94-metre long vessel is equipped with two units of electrical driven 2600KW Azimuth thrusters and three units of 1050KW tunnel thrusters to achieve a Dynamic Positioning II capability. It has a moon pool and 1000 square metres of clear deck space for the installation of drilling derrick, line tensioner winches, mud pumps, hydraulic unit and various specialised containers for performing geotechnical services. Greatship Maya is the first state-of-the-art vessels that Keppel Singmarine is building for Greatship and customising for geotechnical services for GC Rieber.

The vessel will be deployed by GC Rieber and partner company Bluestone Offshore Pte Ltd in Australia in the first quarter of 2010. She was named today by Lady Sponsor, Mrs Hege Tiller, spouse of Mr Finn Atle Hamre, Managing Director of GC Rieber Shipping Asia Pte Ltd.

Mr Hoe Eng Hock, Executive Director of Keppel Singmarine, said, “We have worked hand-in-hand with Greatship over the last two years to deliver this fine vessel. Her successful completion reinforces Keppel Singmarine’s ability and commitment to provide reliable and versatile solutions in meeting the needs of all offshore environments.

“With proven track record and expertise in the design and construction of specialised ships, we are well-poised to support Greatship in growing its modern fleet of sophisticated vessels.”

Greatship Maya is one of the few OSVs in the world to be certified as Special Purpose Ship under the IMO SPS Code 2008 to meet stringent standard for safety and stability for vessels carrying more than 12 special project personnel.

Mr Venkatraman Sheshashayee, Executive Director of Greatship Global Offshore Services, said, “We are very proud of the outstanding quality and capability of Greatship Maya, which has reinforced our decision to work with a world-class shipbuilder such as Keppel Singmarine.

“As we look forward to the rest of our vessels this year, we are confident that they will perform to our customers’ expectations and distinguish Greatship as a choice provider of innovative and versatile solutions for the offshore industry.”

Just last year, Keppel FELS, a sister company of Keppel Singmarine, also delivered one KFELS B Class jackup rig, Greatdrill Chitra, ahead of schedule to Greatship.