Converting excess PSVs

In the well documented downturn in the oil and gas markets over the past several years, an increasing number of platform supply vessels (PSVs) are currently being under-utilized - notably in the Gulf of Mexico. U.K. naval architect Dave Pitt of OSD-IMT has noted that various proposals have been made for repurposing unnecessary tonnage. OSD-IMT and its partner Gibbs & Cox, which has operations in New Orleans, have been investigating a potential solution for converting PSVs into trailing-suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs). The IMT978 PSV was chosen as the best design to reflect size and arrangement of the 10-to-15 year-old candidate vessels identified by G&C’s research. Due to U.S. environmental regs on bottom door cargo discharge, a pump-out system was added, which enables dredge material to be re-used for wetland creation and restoration, and levee maintenance and construction. G&C’s analysis of the conversion shows it is economically viable. (Source: Offshore Support Journal 01/05/18)