Press release from Viking Supply:

Trans Viking, a joint venture company between Rederi AB Transatlantic and Viking Supply Ships AS, has signed a new building contract with Astilleros Zamakona near Bilbao, Spain. The contract is for two large and modern anchor handlers (AHTS) with option for two additional units. The first vessel will be delivered during the third quarter of 2009, and the second vessel will be delivered 8 months thereafter.

The vessel is the first of the VS 4622 clean design developed by Vik - Sandvik in close collaboration with Trans Viking. The VS 4622 clean design meets the future demands for safe and efficient anchor handling and supply duties world wide and addresses environmental requirements. The vessels will be fitted with a strong winch package and modern deck equipment for safe deck operations, including deep water and fibre rope handling. Ice 1A, deice and clean design will make the vessel capable of working in harsh and cold environments with ice conditions. The vessels, which are designed for comfort class, and high quality living quarters, will provide for safe operations in an attractive working environment.

The vessel will be prepared for installation of an A-frame or a construction crane for light construction work. Accommodation for 45 people as well as the wide deck area will make the vessel a suitable platform for ROV and project-related work requiring accommodation for a large number of customer personnel and also storage space for special equipment that may be required on board.

“The new building contract emphasizes our company’s mission to be a first class supplier of offshore support services”, says Stefan Eliasson managing director of Trans Viking and Head of Transatlantic division Offshore/Icebreaking, “The offshore industry is developing rapidly and we are sure that our new vessels will be up to our customers expectations with regard to capacities and qualities required in the future”.

“These contracts are part of Trans Viking's growth strategy. The company's competitive advantage is its unique competence in the offshore and ice management business and we want to strengthen the position of the company in the growing market for operations in arctic and harsh environments”, adds Rolf Skaarberg, Managing Director of Viking Supply Ships AS and Investment Manager in Kistefos AS.

Main specifications AHTS VS 4622 CD:

Clean design, Comfort class, Ice 1A, deice C, Oil recovery NOFO 2005, LOA 85.20m, Beam 22.00m, Deck area: 18.2m x 42.0m, Bollard pull about 220 tonnes, Triple anchor handling winch 400 tonnes pull, 2 x secondary winches, Safe deck operations equipment, Engine 19,040bhp, Speed & consumption 12 knots on about 14mts, Full cargo under deck capacities, Chain lockers capacity 650 m3, Accommodation 45, DP2, Prepared for FIFI, construction crane and A-frame,