Zamil Offshore has partnered with Dutch naval architecture firm Conoship International to develop a specialised Dive Support Vessel (DSV) designed to operate in the shallow waters of the Gulf region.

The vessel addresses a key challenge facing offshore operators: conventional dive support vessels often have drafts that limit access to shallow-water oil and gas installations.

Zamil Offshore commissioned Conoship to develop a cost-effective vessel with a maximum draft of just 2.5 meters, while retaining the equipment, stability and operational capabilities required for subsea infrastructure maintenance.

Conoship completed both the Concept and Basic Design phases, focusing on hydrodynamic efficiency, weight reduction and an optimised hull configuration.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and tank testing were used to reduce hull resistance and improve water flow to the propulsion system.

The resulting design combines shallow-water access with lower fuel consumption and operational flexibility.

The 76.2-meter-long, 17-meter-wide vessel will feature a 360-square-meter reinforced working deck capable of carrying heavy offshore cargo.

A knuckle-boom crane with a 22-meter reach and 20-ton lifting capacity will support offshore construction and maintenance activities.

Dedicated diving facilities include a diving deck and control room equipped with a Launch and Recovery System (LARS), remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems and other dive support equipment.

The vessel will accommodate up to 76 people and have a deadweight of approximately 950 tonnes.

For station keeping, the vessel will be equipped with a Class 2 Dynamic Positioning (DP2) system. In particularly shallow-water operations, twin spud poles can provide an alternative means of positioning.

Five dedicated dry-bulk tanks will also allow the vessel to transport supplies to offshore installations.

A diesel-electric propulsion arrangement, combined with the optimised hull form and engine load distribution, is intended to reduce fuel consumption and emissions compared with conventional alternatives.

The lightweight hull structure further supports the vessel’s shallow-draft performance without compromising its offshore capabilities.

The design complies with ABS class requirements and the Special Purpose Ships (SPS) Code, demonstrating that advanced offshore and diving capabilities can be incorporated into a vessel with an exceptionally shallow draft.

For Zamil Offshore, the project is intended to provide a purpose-built asset for maintaining regional oil and gas infrastructure while reducing daily operating costs and environmental impact.

Rather than adapting an existing design, the company opted for a vessel tailored to its fleet requirements, emphasising fuel efficiency, maintainability and reliability.

The collaboration also highlights Conoship’s expertise in specialised offshore vessel engineering, from early-stage concept development through to a complete basic engineering package suitable for shipyard selection and construction. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service