Heerema's crane vessel Sleipnir sets out on its maiden voyage

This week, Heerema’s newest vessel Sleipnir will begin her maiden voyage. Sleipnir, the world’s largest and strongest semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) was built in Singapore and will set course for Spain. The trip will take about 45 days, the vessel owner said in a press release.

Sleipnir is designed to work on large offshore projects such as installing and removing jackets, topsides, deep-water foundations, moorings and other offshore structures, such as windmills.  This unique vessel is the largest crane vessel yet built. It has the strongest pair of revolving cranes and also is the world’s first crane vessel with dual-fuel engines running on MGO and LNG, dramatically reducing harmful emissions.

The last two days bunkering of LNG took place 12 miles off the coast of Indonesia. Since LNG is not yet obtainable worldwide, Heerema is the first to perform an LNG bunkering in this area of the world. Heerema has selected Dutch company Titan LNG to help in this undertaking. Titan LNG has chartered a ship commercially managed by Anthony Veder, also Dutch, thus resulting in a unique Dutch cooperation.

Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven, CEO Heerema: “Not only is Sleipnir the world’s largest and strongest vessel, it is also first of its kind as far as sustainability goes. We are making offshore history. No other vessel has such numerous features. Our LED lights and shore power electricity are only a few examples of Heerema’s ambition in this area. Sustainability is an integral part of HMC's identity, embedded in our daily work practices. But we intend to do far more than that. Sleipnirs’ design clearly showcases Heerema’s dedication to sustainability beyond simply compliance. It shows that we act sustainable because we want to. Not because we have to. This specific project of bunkering LNG is proof of this ambition. We are very pleased to work together with Dutch Company Titan LNG, since it provided us with good solutions for bunkering, in Singapore as well as in Spain. The involvement of a second Dutch company, Anthony Veder, makes this maiden voyage extra special”.
 
“I’m extremely proud of the Titan team that has successfully completed the largest LNG bunkering in the World”, said Niels den Nijs, CEO Titan LNG. “It was a complex project to supply this eight-legged innovative crane vessel, the Sleipnir.
I’d like to thank Pavilion Gas and SLNG for the support in Singapore and Anthony Veder, our shipping partners, that completed this Dutch-Singaporean project. Titan LNG looks forward to supplying Heerema with more LNG in the future to fulfil our mission of lowering harmful emissions of the marine and industrial sector.”

Jan Valkier, CEO of Anthony Veder says: “We are excited by serving Heerema’s Sleipnir with this LNG bunkering operation, in cooperation with Titan LNG, and look forward to many more. Shortly after adding Coral Fraseri to our fleet we have already mobilized her in the small scale LNG market, which underlines our strong position and commitment in supplying the maritime industry worldwide sustainable solutions for LNG as marine fuel.”

Sleipnir will now set sail for Spain, rounding South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. In the Mediterranean, Titan LNG will again supply the Sleipnir using the Coral Fraseri that will pass through the Suez Canal.

Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) brings more than 50 years of specialized skills to the offshore oil and gas industry. Oil and gas companies rely on HMC for full offshore field development in the toughest of environments in all the seas of the world. We build long-term client relationships by solving what looks like impossible challenges and by delivering on our promises. Innovation and ingenuity are key to our success. HMC transports, installs, and removes all types of offshore facilities, including fixed and floating structures in shallow, deep, and ultra-deep waters. From its headquarters in Leiden, HMC commands the entire supply chain of offshore construction, from design through to completion. Our services include engineering, planning, logistics, project management, and execution of projects all over the world.