Ocean Infinity has agreed a contract with VARD for the design and construction of a new series of six robotic multi-purpose offshore vessels, all of which will have the capability of being operated from shore.
This order of six 85-metre optionally crewed robotic vessels will take Ocean Infinity’s Armada remote vessel fleet to 23 vessels when all current orders are delivered.
“Armada will play a huge role in enabling the global maritime community to reduce its carbon emissions from operations at sea,” said Richard Daltry, Technical Director – Surface Technology at Ocean Infinity.
“These new 85m vessels will be optimised for inspection, maintenance and repair and light construction work to offer remote, ultra-low carbon services to the offshore energy market. Like the 78m series currently under construction, the new design continues to drive minimalised environmental impact with its integration of new fuel-cell and battery technology.”
The company notes that it is already working on commissioning of its shore-side remote control infrastructure and has begun remote operations with a series of ROVs.
The new 85m vessels will augment Ocean Infinity’s current Armada fleet of nine 21m and 36m vessels, plus eight 78m vessels which are already in production. VARD previously won the contract to design and build the 78m vessels in November 2020, with the first four underway while steel cutting for the fifth began recently at Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam.
The new series of six vessels are scheduled for delivery from Vard Vung Tau in 2025.
