Dutch floater expert SBM Offshore has signed a contract for the construction of the seventh Fast4Ward hull with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading, both subsidiaries of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), according to Splash247.
The multi-purpose floater hull, designated MPF7, features SBM Offshore's Fast4Ward proprietary generic standard hull design. This standard hull design for FPSO vessels has a storage capacity of up to 2.3 million barrels of crude oil, and is adaptable to a wide range of sea conditions. The hull will inherit the highly optimised design of its predecessor, including accommodation capacity for up to 240 personnel.
Contract Details and Project History
The contract was signed between SBM Offshore, SWS, and China Shipbuilding Trading. SWS is a premier shipbuilding yard under CSSC. This order represents the 13th MPF hull ordered to date and the 7th FPSO hull project for SBM Offshore at SWS.
"This is the 13th MPF hull ordered to date, with each project providing lessons to further derisk the execution, while improving quality and productivity," said Øivind Tangen, CEO at SBM Offshore, according to Splash247.
Chen Gang, chairman of SWS, added: "As this represents our 7th FPSO hull project for SBM, our team is fully committed to leveraging our premier shipbuilding capabilities and lean management principles to deliver this vessel with the highest quality, safety, and environmental standards, continuing to create long-term value for both organisations," as reported by Splash247.
Implications for Industrial Manufacturing
This order underscores the ongoing collaboration between Western offshore engineering firms and Chinese shipyards. The standardised Fast4Ward design, with a capacity of 2.3 million barrels, allows for repeatable manufacturing processes and continuous improvement. The fact that SWS is constructing its 7th hull for SBM Offshore indicates a mature production line with learned efficiencies.
For manufacturing executives and procurement professionals, the repeated orders demonstrate the value of standardised hull designs in reducing lead times and costs. The lean management principles cited by SWS chairman Chen Gang are critical for achieving the quality and safety standards required in offshore oil and gas projects.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hull designation | MPF7 |
| Storage capacity | Up to 2.3 million barrels of crude oil |
| Accommodation | Up to 240 personnel |
| Design type | Fast4Ward proprietary generic standard hull |
| Order number | 7th for SBM Offshore; 13th MPF hull overall |
| Shipyard | Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) |
| Parent group | China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) |
Production Timeline
While the source article does not specify a delivery date or production start, the contract signing marks the beginning of the construction phase. With SWS's experience on previous hulls, the yard is expected to leverage its established capabilities to deliver the vessel efficiently.
For industrial equipment suppliers and automation companies, this project represents continued demand for shipbuilding machinery, welding robots, and material handling systems. The standardisation of the Fast4Ward hull allows for investment in specialised tooling and automation, improving ROI over multiple hulls.
Conclusion
The order of the MPF7 hull by SBM Offshore from SWS reaffirms the trend of repeat business in heavy industrial manufacturing, where standardised designs lead to production efficiencies. The project highlights the strategic importance of Chinese shipyards in the global FPSO supply chain, supported by lean management and continuous improvement efforts.
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