Norwegian offshore supply vessel owner Boa Offshore has unveiled a new generation of semi-submersible heavy lift barges and released an internal design, planning to select a shipyard during 2024, with the first barge in operation in 2026.
Boa Offshore says the barge’s versatile design and unique functions make it ideally suited for loading/floating operations; transportation of ships, platforms, drilling rigs and heavy cargoes; dry-docking operations; salvage operations; construction and installation of platforms and dismantling operations. The barge is said to be capable of meeting any industry or market segment’s requirements for heavy loads, extreme dive depths etc.
Key features of the barge include dimensions of 166 x 73, 38 x 9, and 15 meters; a dive depth of 31.65 meters and a water depth of 22.5 meters above the barge deck; a deadweight of approximately 75,000 tons; a deck strength of 35 tons per square meter; a ballast capacity of 20,000 m3/hour; four removable floating towers and hybrid battery/generator/shore power operation.
Boa Offshore, owned by Ole. T Bjørnevik and his family, which is headquartered in Trondheim with an office in Houston, is understood to have approximately 315 employees and has been providing offshore services since its inception in 1975, and currently operates a diversified fleet of 35 tugs, offshore vessels, construction vessels, AHTS, and flat-bottomed and semi-submersible barges fleet.