The heavy lift pipelay vessel, ‘JSD 6000’, is a customised ULSTEIN SOC5000 design. The 215m long DP3 vessel is equipped with a 5,000t revolving main crane and will be cable of performing J-lay and S-lay pipelay work in max water depths of 3,000m.
In January 2014, Sharjah-based Petrofac ordered the Petrofac JSD 6000 deepwater derrick lay vessel, a customised ULSTEIN SOC 5000 design developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V. The ship was contracted to the Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC) shipyard. Petrofac terminated the construction contract with the yard in October 2015.
The design features an NOV revolving main crane with a 5,000 mt lifting capacity. But what makes this vessel truly unique is the combination of a 600 mt Remacut S-lay system via a centre firing line below the main deck and a 2,000 mt IHC EB J-lay system via a moonpool. This double-deck configuration, a distinctive feature in Ulstein Design & Solutions BV's designs, allows for a large, unobstructed deck area and below-deck pipe fabrication.
The combination of heavy lift, S-Lay capabilities, and J-Lay functionality via a large, off-centre moonpool allows the vessel to serve deepwater and SURF markets and shallow-water EPCI projects.
The JSD 6000 vessel is the third customised version of the ULSTEIN SOC 5000 design after the 'Seven Borealis' and 'Aegir', both in operation.
24 April 2018: Petrofac signed an agreement to sell the JSD 6000 deepwater derrick lay vessel project to ZPMC. Petrofac will provide technical support for the vessel's construction.
21 October 2020: Assembly of the two half-hull sections
27 December 2020: The JSD 6000 was launched at the ZPMC Qidong shipyard. After 18 months of hard work and dedication of all team members and other parties involved in the project, the vessel construction activities will continue at the ZPMC Changxing base to complete the installation of the J-lay and S-lay pipelay systems and the 5,000-tonne revolving main crane.
July 2021: The JSD 6000 is scheduled to complete sea trials and be delivered in early 2022. She can carry out J-lay and S-lay pipelay work and install 6 to 60-inch-diameter pipelines in maximum water depths of 3,000 m. The new build will also have an accommodation capacity of 399 persons.
December 2022: The 'JSD6000' commenced sea trial in December 2022.
2023, May update: The JSD 6000 completed her sea trial and started testing the mission and pipe-laying equipment.
28 May 2024: The JSD6000 was delivered at the ZPMC shipyard to the operator SAIPEM.
2025: Awarded 'Best Derrick Layer 2024' by Baird Maritime/Work Boat World.
The delivery of the JSD6000 deepwater derrick lay vessel on May 28, 2024, marks a significant milestone in maritime engineering. Developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V., the vessel’s design is a customized iteration of the SOC 5000 heavy lift vessel tailored to meet SAIPEM’s operational needs.
The JSD6000, a heavy lift pipelay vessel designed by Ulstein and built at the ZPMC shipyard in China, has successfully completed her sea trial and has now returned to the ZPMC Changxing Base.
Two Ulstein designed heavy lift vessels, the 'JSD 6000' and the 'Alfa Lift' are currently in their last months of construction before entering the market in 2022 to set new standards in their respective markets.
Heavy Offshore Construction Vessels are the backbone of offshore projects. These versatile vessels play a crucial role in pipeline laying, subsea installations, and heavy lifting operations.
As pioneers in offshore vessel design, we remain committed to delivering innovative and reliable vessels that meet the evolving demands of the energy industry.
Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V.
