INCAT Crowther has announced the launch of the first of three new crew boats built for operation in Qatar.
The Australia-headquartered company designed the vessels for Nakilat SvitzerWijsmuller (NSW), a towage and marine services company owned partly by Svitzer.
Singapore shipbuilder Lita Ocean launched the first vessel, named NSW Al Yamama, for deployment in Doha.
NSW Al Yamama and its two future sister vessels will serve as wellhead maintenance vessels for QatarEnergy.
Incat Crowther designed the vessels to transfer maintenance personnel and equipment for the energy company. NSW Al Yamama can transport 40 people and its deck can hold up to 10 tonnes of payload.
Incat Crowther USA director Grant Pecoraro said the company was confident NSW Al Yamama would soon begin many years of successful service for NSW.
“This project has again demonstrated the effectiveness of Incat Crowther’s proven design approach, technology, and experience,” Mr Pecoraro said.
“NSW Al Yamama is the result of a true collaborative design process between our team of expert naval architects and engineers, Lita Ocean and NSW.
“We’re now looking forward to working with Lita Ocean to launch and deliver the remainder of the new fleet.”
NSW is a joint venture company. Qatar gas transport company Nakilat owns 70% of the company, and Svitzer Middle East owns 30%.
Incat Crowther expects the two remaining vessels, NSW Al Shuaiba and NSW Zikreet, to be delivered in August and September respectively.