CIMC Raffles Signs Shipbuilding Contract for Next-Generation Deepwater Offshore Installation Vessel in Shipbuilding News 24/06/2026 On 22 June, CIMC Raffles officially signed a shipbuilding contract for a next-generation multi-purpose deepwater Offshore Installation vessel with a joint venture established by Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore. Headquartered in Norway, Solstad Offshore is one of the world’s leading offshore vessel owners, operating a large fleet of advanced offshore support, subsea construction and installation vessels. The company has extensive experience in offshore oil and gas developments, marine construction and offshore renewable energy projects. Headquartered in the Netherlands, SBM Offshore is a major player in the global offshore energy industry and a recognized leader in the design, construction, installation and long-term operation of FPSO units. The company possesses extensive expertise in deepwater oil and gas developments and integrated offshore engineering solutions worldwide. The vessel will be contracted through a newly established joint venture company formed by Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore, with Solstad Offshore holding a 50.1% ownership interest and SBM Offshore holding 49.9%. Upon delivery, the vessel will be owned by the joint venture and managed by Solstad Offshore as ship manager. The joint venture has entered into an initial 14-year charter agreement with SBM Offshore. Commenting on the contract signing, Lars Peder Solstad, CEO of Solstad Offshore ASA, said: “This is an important milestone for us and for our partnership with SBM Offshore. We are pleased to have the shipbuilding contract in place and to commence our collaboration with CIMC Raffles on the construction of this next-generation vessel.” The new-build vessel builds upon the proven operational success of the Construction Support Vessel (CSV) Normand Installer, which has been jointly owned and operated by Solstad Offshore and SBM Offshore since 2006. Developed th