Boskalis’ semi-submersible heavy transport vessel Boka Vanguard has set off on a journey from Singapore to Europe, loaded with the Johan Castberg FPSO. 

Following the completion of the construction at the Sebmcorp Marine yard in Singapore, the 70,000-ton FPSO was floated onto Boka Vanguard. Currently, the AIS data shows the vessel is currently sailing in the Indian Ocean, off Eastern India, heading for Norway.

Sembcorp Marine built the hull and living quarters of the FPSO for Equinor. Johan Castberg is designed to FPSO hull main specifications, including Norsoks and DNV Class Rules, with improved design concept and engineering logic embracing work environment and technical safety requirements, winterisation and other ocean data prerequisites. Johan Castberg, Sembcorp Marine’s first EPC newbuild FPSO, also met the stringent requirements of the Norwegian and PSA (Petroleum Safety Authority) regulatory requirements.

The 12,500-nautical-mile-long journey is expected to take about 50 days. Once quayside at Stord all the process modules constructed by Aker Solutions in Norway will be installed and the ship completed.

Upon final completion in Norway, the FPSO is scheduled for deployment at the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea, about 240 kilometres from Hammerfest, Norway. The FPSO hull is built to be self-contained for harsh-environment operation, with living quarters accommodating up to 140 personnel onboard.