THE REMARKABLE JSD6000 ENGENDERS MANY THOUGHTS

WITH her array of tophamper, machinery and her enormous crane with a 5 200-ton lifting capacity, the pipelayer JSD600 at A Berth has dominated the Dockland skyline for several days.

- BRIAN INGPEN

This remarkable vessel was designed by the prestigious Ulstein Design & Solutions based in Norway, with offices in Shanghai, Ningbo and in several other shipbuilding countries. One of the company's revolutionary designs is the so-called X-bow that has a curiously inverted curve, a concept that, when unveiled in 2005, attracted widespread interest from naval architects, shipbuilders and shipowners. As it is designed to deflect spray from the vessel, especially when heading into head sea, it is used among some designers of anchor-handling tugs and other offshore supply vessels that often operate amid heavy seas.

Returning to JSD6000, the vessel is equipped with a dynamic-positioning system that enables her to remain in a fixed position, an advantage when her operations require precise positioning.

Her equipment enables her to lay pipelines with 1m diameter using the so-called J-Lay system whereby pipes - up to 72m in length - can be up-ended and welded to existing pipes on the seabed in deep water.

Via the S-Lay system, the vessel also can lay larger-diameter pipes in water up to 3 000m deep. Pipes welded aboard the ship are laid horizontally using a stinger over the vessel's stern.

The huge crane that has attracted great attention is most useful for a range of operations, including fitting or removing equipment onto or from oil rigs and other offshore platforms, installing marine wind turbines, and harbour construction. To maintain stability, especially when the crane is operating, she has a most sophisticated ballasting system.