With years of collective experience from the Norwegian maritime industry, the three are now in place in China to assist the building process at Zhejiang Shipbuilding Co., where Ulstein Design has four ULSTEIN P105s and soon four ULSTEIN PX105s under construction. The first of these vessels, Bourbon Pearl, was delivered on 15th December 2007.
Good designs
Bourbon Pearl has already gained a reputation for being one of the most sophisticated offshore vessels ever built in China.
“People came from far and wide to see the newbuilding. Word had it that the Ulstein-designed vessel is top notch, with an excellent design. This is nice to hear, of course, and motivates us to start on new projects,” says Stein Ulstein, yard advisor for the ULSTEIN P105 project.
Stein Ulstein is employed with Ulstein Verft, but contracted to Ulstein Design. Accompanying him is Bjørn Olav Dybhavn, who supervises Ulstein Design’s electro section. The project has gone well, and the two Norwegians have had good support from their colleagues at Ulstein Marine Equipment, headquartered in Ningbo.
New yard – new man
Stein Ulstein has lived in Ningbo for 1½ years, but will retire this spring. Jan Paulsen will replace him as senior advisor for the four ULSTEIN PX105 vessels that will be built in the new section of the same yard.
“Construction on the first ship will commence in March. It has been very useful for me to follow the ULSTEIN P105 vessels currently under construction. I have learned a great deal about building customs, culture and other aspects that are necessary for efficient planning and execution of the new vessels,” says Paulsen. He was the project manager for the first two ULSTEIN PX105 vessels delivered by Ulstein Verft for Bourbon Offshore Norway at the end of 2006 and beginning of 2007.
“I’m very excited about the project, with its entirely new team and new yard. The new section of the Zhejiang yard is still under construction and, when completed in the first half of 2008, will house 10,000 employees. The dimensions are enormous. The new high hall now being erected will be just as big as eight dock halls of the type we have at Ulstein Verft at Ulsteinvik. In the high hall there will be room to build four ships at the same time,” Paulsen explains.
Facts about Ulstein in China
• Established: 2005 (Ulstein China, Shanghai), 2007 (Ulstein Marine Equipment, Ningbo)
• Managing director: Vidar Eikrem
• Shanghai: Sales and representative office
• Ningbo: Coordination of engineering and design to Ulstein´s ship design activities in China. In addition comes electro production and integration, as well as shipbuilding follow-up
