Bourbon Monsoon (MH Monsoon)

2006: Double-naming ceremony of Bourbon Mistral and Bourbon Monsoon: On Saturday, 28 October, the first two platform supply vessels with the  ULSTEIN X-BOW® design were named at Ulstein Verft. Bourbon Offshore Norway ordered these vessels, which had already been engaged in long-term charters for BP Norway.

The lady sponsor for both vessels was BP Norway´s CEO, Gro Kielland. The vessels would primarily supply the oil fields operated by BP in the Norwegian part of the North Sea and be based in the Sola harbour, Tananger, Norway.

Yard number 275 Bourbon Mistral started on a five-year contract shortly after the naming ceremony. Her sister vessel, yard number 276 Bourbon Monsoon, was contracted for delivery in February 2007 and was to start on a 10-year contract. 

“We are proud that we have won these long-term contracts with BP Norway for these innovative vessels”, said marketing director Eirik Eide, a representative of  Bourbon Offshore Norway.

Shipowner Bourbon Offshore Norway was the first to order a vessel with the ULSTEIN X-BOW®, the anchor handler Bourbon Orca. The company was also the first to receive PSVs with this innovative bow design. 

“Having had Bourbon Orca working for a period of time, we clearly see that the bow makes her superior compared to other anchor handling vessels,” says Bourbon Offshore Norway´s managing director, Trond Myklebust. “We have proven that a ship with the ULSTEIN X-BOW® runs smoother and can maintain higher speeds over time,” he says. “That means these vessels can reach their destinations in less time, and are safer and more comfortable for the crew to operate. We believe there is even more to be gained from a PSV with this bow, as these types of vessels are continuously in traffic. They work in a shuttle system between shore and platforms and must be reliable, especially in extreme weather.”

“All involved have worked hard in this project, and we hope the shipowner will appreciate the skill and effort it takes to construct such innovative vessels”, said Ulstein Verft´s managing director, Karsten Sævik. 

The ULSTEIN X-BOW® hull design advantages as compared to a conventional foreship with flare: 

• Higher transit speed in calm water due to low angles of entry and increased waterline length 

• No bow flare, eliminating bow impact and / or slamming in foreship

• Reduced noise and vibration levels in foreship due to soft entries in waves 

• Less spray due to water not being thrown forward

• Negligible occurrences of green water on bridge deck

• Working deck and deck equipment better protected due to hull extended to full beam in accommodation area 

• Higher transit speed in head sea, giving reduced power consumption and / or higher fuel efficiency both in waves and in still water

• Lower pitch and heave accelerations due to foreship volume distribution and slender hull lines

2025: The vessel was sold to Uthalden Maritime, and its name changed to 'MH Monsoon'

Still active - IMO 9362011