Giving a second life to offshore vessels

Market changes, new or stricter regulations and fuel price developments are all factors that can challenge the performance of vessels and make them non-competitive. Fortunately, shipping companies have the opportunity of coping with this by adapting their vessels. Growing demand for survey operations, for example, can open up an opportunity for owners with platform supply tonnage to reposition their activity. A rather simple conversion with a mezzanine deck and remotely operated vehicles (ROV) can be sufficient to get an entry into the survey market.

Energy efficiency

Increasing the energy efficiency of the vessel or its systems is, and will be, popular means to increase the competitiveness of the vessel, reduce operational costs and comply with stricter emission regulations. Retrofitting of the battery systems and the installation of shore connections have become popular among offshore vessel owners.

Greener power sources

Alternative fuels are also on the radar, with methanol at the forefront. Methanol presents a set of features that makes it attractive for platform supply vessels (PSV) and other offshore vessels. Technology is already available, and volume losses can be acceptable. It is only up to the availability of green methanol that we can see vessels being retrofitted to methanol. Ammonia and hydrogen are also on the radar of many shipping companies.

Alternative markets - an alternative to extend the life of offshore vessels

The features of many offshore vessels make them inherently flexible and adaptable to be used as bases for alternative uses. Not so commonly seen in other shipping markets, there are many offshore vessels that end their lives in the fishing, aquaculture and yacht markets. One example is the picture below which represents a potential conversion of a platform supply vessel into yacht support tasks.

Ulstein has, in recent years, explored 30 alternative market uses for existing platform supply vessels by means of conversion, upgrades and retrofit solutions.

• CONVERSIONS: To renew, redesign, and rebuild ships to new technical and functional requirements;
• UPGRADES: The update, renewal and/or expansion of onboard systems and equipment to higher standards - function, capacity and capability - to re-brand the vessel;
• RETROFITS: The addition of new technologies or features to existing systems and equipment;

These 30 applications relate to four different vessel markets: the energy markets, the leisure market, the ocean biomass market and other miscellaneous industrial and contingency applications.

Five potential applications
We have found five possible applications of the platform supply vessels built which have been based on our ULSTEIN PX121 design, these five are highlighted in the table below.

More details about these and other case studies can be arranged:
• PSV conversion into a hospital ship
• PSV conversion into a walk-to-work vessel
• PSV conversion into a yacht support vessel

Yard conversions

Our shipyard in Norway delivers high-quality ship repair and conversions. Close collaboration between our naval architects and the project teams secures cost-effectiveness, quick responses and complete conversions. Battery retrofits can enhance the attractiveness of the vessel in the market with a minor investment.

Over the years, Ulstein has gathered multiple experiences from providing vessel life cycle services and renewed life to vessels in operation. An example is the platform supply vessels of the ULSTEIN PX121 design, 'Esvagt Leah' and 'Esvagt Heidi', these were originally built at Ulstein Verft and returned to the yard in 2021 to be upgraded to more environmentally friendly power solutions, and to a new life as ERRV vessels.

Upgrades and modernisation

The refurbishment of the 'Ocean Adventurer' expedition cruise vessel included a general modernisation throughout the vessel, with significant technical upgrades, securing a vessel with increased fuel efficiency and, subsequently, a minimized carbon footprint.