Maritime Developments seals 15th anniversary with first VLS order

Maritime Developments has secured the first order for its innovative portable overside vertical lay system (PVLS) from a leading subsea installation contractor.

The order comprises of a bespoke vertical lay system tower together with a Maritime Developments’ 4-track tensioner, to be used in a groundbreaking North Sea field development.

The delivery of the solution will complement Maritime Developments’ full suite of back-deck equipment, as the north-east company celebrates its 15 years in business.

PVLS is a portable solution for the deployment and retrieval of subsea umbilicals, risers and flowlines (SURF products). The system facilitates transport of products from on-deck carousels or reel drive systems to a vertical orientation so that they can be installed over the side of a vessel or through the moon pool of a vessel.

The compact footprint of the solution allows for the use of lower day-rate vessels, reducing the operational costs for the client.

Thanks to its innovative design, the PVLS can be road transported to any mobilisation port and assembled atthe quayside.

For its first order, Maritime Developments will deliver a 75-tonne PVLS, together with its TTS-4/140 series tensioner.

The tensioner, patented in July 2014, operates by gripping the product between opposing caterpillar track carriages. Unlike existing equipment on the market, Maritime Developments’ tensioner allows for not one but two tracks to open in vertical lay mode when loading or unloading the product (pipe).

Derek Smith, Maritime Developments’ chief executive, said:

“We are delighted to have received our first order for a vertical lay system from one of our major international clients.

“The addition of the system to our portfolio will not only complement our suit of back-deck solutions for handling of SURF products - it also stands as a testament to all the hard work put in by our team as we celebrate 15 years in business.

“Additionally, this new contract increases the value of our back order to £7million, standing us in good stead for 2015.”