Frederikshavn, May 2 2006. MAN B&W Diesel A/S, Frederikshavn, Denmark has been awarded a large prestigious contract to supply complete twin-screw twin-in/single-out medium speed propulsion packages for eight Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels (AHTS). The newbuildings, which will be built by Aker Yards AS, Norway, were ordered by the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group’s Maersk Supply Service.

The finalised vessels are expected to be delivered from Norway (from both Aker’s Brattvaag and Langsten shipyards) with two month intervals during 2008 and 2009. The 73m AHTS vessel design, designated VS 472, is designed by the renowned Norwegian group of ship design consultants, Vik-Sandvik AS.

For MAN B&W Diesel - this order, which follows a number of recent large offshore contracts, is a substantial order now with another 32 main engines - strongly positioned in the offshore support vessel market sector.

The quadruple-engine propulsion packages are each based on a twin-screw, diesel-mechanical, twin-in/single-out plant with 7 cyl and 8 cyl L27/38 engines arranged in a ‘father and son’ configuration with Renk double gears.

Further the MAN B&W Diesel package supply incorporates complete 4 metre ducted CP Propellers type VBS1080, complete shafting and propeller nozzles type FD 4030 – together with the Alphatronic 2000 Propulsion Control and Management System for engine control room and forward and aft bridge consoles.

Principal Particulars – MAERSK AHTS

Length oa                  73.2 m
Length pp                  64.2 m
Breadth                     20.0 m
Depth                        9.10 m
Draught max               7.60 m
Deadweight                3700 t
Speed (sea trial)           16 knots
Accommodation        for 30 persons
Design                      VS 472 (Vik-Sandvik)