Experiences from building Ulstein designs at external yards

Golden Energy Offshore (GEOFF) is a well-established, fully integrated ship-owning, shipping, and offshore service company with experience from having two Ulstein-designed platform supply vessels constructed in a Chinese yard. 

CEO Per Ivar Fagervoll at Golden Energy Offshore comments on their experiences:

"Golden Energy Offshore contracted two platform supply vessels of Ulstein design at the ROC yard in Qidong. The delivery from Ulstein included basic design, engineering, main equipment, site follow up and commissioning. With a head office in Norway, we saw the value of the geographical closeness to the Ulstein design project team and kept close contact with them throughout the projects. Also, the team provided by Ulstein at the yard in China took care of our interests locally."

"For us, it was important to focus on a well-known and recognized design, involvement from the designers in the planning phase and to utilize our in-house and Ulstein's knowledge of the market demands and optimal solutions in all aspects of the vessel. This goes for planning on the specifications and the makers, quoting yards and the subsequent plan and approval phase. Delivery of the main equipment from well-known suppliers includes commissioning. The design and engineering specification is also a matter of managing risk and cost control, and we value the option to cherry-pick from the makers' list," states Fagervoll.

"All of this has been tied together with the Integrated Automation System and the Power Management System, the IAS and the PMS, from Ulstein. The local team at the yard, the support and follow-up on all these activities, and the local management of risk with the shipyard and our onboard site team were valuable assets to us. All the pre-commissioning done by Ulstein also gives good predictability on the project and helps to manage risk."

With the Ulstein Blue Box installed, the ship's data system is connected to the cloud. The system offers great potential for fuel savings, reduced emissions, and safer marine operations through data-driven decision-making. Golden Energy Offshore has reached its goal of 10 per cent fuel reduction with this system. 
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Ulstein Design & Solutions focuses on matching customers' needs with designers' experience to find the best solution. Performance, quality, and timely delivery must be prioritised. 

"Ulstein handles all design, engineering, and equipment integration, ordering main equipment as soon as the shipbuilding contract has been signed to avoid delays in the engineering documentation and safeguard the delivery time of the vessel," says Lars Ståle Skoge, Commercial Director at Ulstein Design & Solutions. 

"We use proven main equipment from reputable suppliers and focus on standards that suit the vessel’s operating area. Cooperation between all parties is crucial, including the owner, interior architects, suppliers, classification societies and the yard, and Ulstein’s local presence aids in problem-solving, pre-commissioning, and schedule maintenance."

Complete delivery - the 'Ulstein package'

Ulstein Design & Solutions has developed Fast Track tools to assist in cost and business case analysis and also suggest suitable shipyards. The complete delivery is often called an 'Ulstein Package', allowing owners to compare offers from different yards based on the same design, engineering, and standards. 

"Another element in the Ulstein Package is that we allow the owners to be involved in which makers they want and then open for competition between suppliers to select the most suited equipment at a competitive price".

"Overall, this has resulted in typical savings between 15% and 25% building at Asian yards compared to European yards".

Reducing risk for the owner

"A good business case is always interesting, and we believe Ulstein can reduce the risk for the owner. Since 2000, Ulstein has cooperated with approximately 30 different shipyards worldwide and sold approximately 150 Ulstein ship designs. Out of these, 75 per cent are designed with the patented X-BOW. The very first X-BOW cruise vessel, the 'Greg Mortimer', was built at the CMHI yard in China, one of the many yards in China we have worked with over the years", concludes Skoge.

"Delivery time is crucial"

"The delivery time has always been a concern and focus for the Owner," replies Per Ivar Fagervoll.

"This is one of the important considerations for us working together with Ulstein. There are also a few more aspects that I would like to share:

"Firstly, it was an assurance that Ulstein purchased the main equipment, the Ulstein Package. We don't have the resources or the capabilities to contact various suppliers to get the best offers, so being presented with a total deal and a total equipment package negotiated by Ulstein, followed by a makers' list from which we had the options to choose from, is the optimal solution for us. This saved time and helped secure the project's fixed cost. It also secured the delivery time, as Ulstein followed up with the suppliers to ensure the equipment was delivered on schedule".

"Ulstein's ability to deliver engineering documentation in time is also important. This can be a bottleneck if the yard must wait, affecting the total and overall progress of the project. Consequently, Ulstein will also be in charge of securing the correct system integration".
"In general, there is less time spent on discussing details, and this makes the project more effective and organized, already from the early phase of the project".

"Can save six months on the delivery time"

Ulstein Marine Systems represents Ulstein in China, and Sales and Marketing Director Lucy Lu comments:

"The delivery of engineering documents, the responsibility for main equipment and the integration are very important. We have learnt from our projects that the Asian yards are competent at steelwork, but often request support and guidance regarding electrical work and integration. These are probably the most important aspects when a shipowner evaluates a yard's building capability. I would also like to add that our site team at the yard supports and coordinates different parties from contract to delivery. This, together with the early purchase of main equipment and focus on system integration, can save six months in delivery time. We have over the years seen that this is a very effective way of working on a project".

For a full version of this article, please watch the webinar 'Building at external yards with assistance from Ulstein."