Royal IHC said it has successfully passed the first significant milestones in the design and build process of an integrated reel lay vessel for Subsea 7.

According tot the company, notable achievements include the early completion of the model testing for resistance and propulsion as well as seakeeping performance validation, both of which were conducted at MARIN. In addition, crucial gate reviews have been passed in the engineering process with the interfacing of the reel lay system having been defined and concluded.

Currently, Royal IHC’s team in the UK has reached the stage in which the operational concept design of the reel lay system is being translated into the production phase.

As well as creating a number of in-house innovations, IHC has also recently awarded a number of contracts to equipment suppliers.

Croonwolter&dros and Bakker Sliedrecht will deliver and fit the integrated electrical and nautical installation for the vessel. The main diesel-generator sets will be supplied by Hyundai, while the thruster package will be delivered by Wärtsilä. IHC has commissioned Huisman for the manufacture and installation of the 250-tonne main AHC offshore crane.

IHC said it is on track to meet milestones for this prestigious project which will include the cutting of the first steel plate in March 2018 and the keel laying, which is planned for mid-2018. The delivery of the vessel is scheduled for the first half of 2020.