Aas Mek gives Hydroniq 3 wellboats contract
NORWEGIAN shipbuilder Aas Mek.Verksted has awarded Hydroniq Coolers contracts to deliver the marine cooling system to three wellboats that the shipyard is building for wellboat company Sølvtrans.
‘We have supplied our seawater cooling system to many wellboats in recent years, but to be awarded three at the same time is rather unusual. This is undoubtedly a large and important delivery for us,’ says Jan Inge Johannesen, sales manager at Hydroniq Coolers.
Hydroniq will supply its hull-integrated ‘Rack’ seawater cooling system to the three wellboats. The ‘Rack’ cooler is integrated in the hull below the main engine room of the vessel, where it reduces temperatures in the ship’s engines and other auxiliary systems through use of seawater, but without taking up valuable engine room space. This is a favoured solution for both vessel crew and owners.
The three new wellboats are newbuilds number 208, 209 and 210 from Aas Mek. Verksted. Previously, Aas Mek.Verksted has contracted Hydroniq Coolers to deliver the same type of marine cooling system to
newbuilds 204, 205, 206 and 207.
‘Aas Mek.Verksted is one of the world’s leading wellboat builders. To be the yard’s preferred supplier is therefore a privilege,’ says Johannesen.
New cooling unit composition
For the three newbuild wellboats, Aas Mek. Verksted, Sølvtrans and Hydroniq Coolers have together composed a new ‘Rack’ unit which they hope will further increase the system’s operational flexibility. In the past, the companies have utilised two cooling systems within each ‘Rack’ unit, but these vessels will use three cooling systems within each unit. This eliminates the need for an external plate heat exchanger that is connected to the cooling unit.
‘It is inspiring to cooperate with yards and shipowners that are always looking to identify smarter and more cost-efficient solutions. Aas Mek. Verksted and Sølvtrans are definitely in this category,’ says Johannesen.
Hydroniq Coolers will manufacture and assemble the equipment at its headquarters outside Aalesund, Norway, and deliver it to Aas Mek. Verksted’s yard at Vestnes, Møre and Romsdal county in Norway.
The three sister wellboats are of the yard’s own design, type AAS 3002 ST. Each vessel has a load capacity of 3,000 cubic metres across two wells. They are 76.96 metres long, 17.80 metres wide and 5.80 metres depth moulded. The three newbuilds will be delivered to Sølvtrans during 2022.