Solstad Offshore’s NB 830 offshore subsea construction vessel, Normand Maximus, was launched yesterday from Vard’s Romanian yard.

The hull of the vessel, of VARD 3 19 design, was built at Vard Tulcea and Contsanca in Romania.

The 178 meters long Normand Maximus will now be towed by NOR Chief to Norway for final outfitting at Vard Brattvaag.

The vessel, which will become the largest in the Solstad’s fleet, will have a 550-ton top tension vertical lay-system, thus enabling the installation of large diameter flexible pipes in ultra-deepwater environments.

In addition, it will be equipped with a 900 ton active heave compensated offshore crane and a 4.000 ton under-deck carousel for storage of flexible pipes, cables and umbilicals.

Solstad has agreed to charter the vessel to Italian contractor, Saipem, for a minimum of 8 years from delivery, scheduled for 2Q 2016.