In less than a year, HAV Design successfully completed one of its most technically demanding vessel conversions, transforming the Rem Inspector into a specialized IMR vessel tailored for Equinor’s operations. The project pushed both design and engineering limits—delivered at a pace rarely seen in the offshore industry.
Originally built by HAV Design in 2013, the Rem Inspector was selected for conversion due to its compatibility with a critical 400-tonne Module Handling System (MHS) tower. This upgrade was part of a new multi-year contract with Equinor, requiring a vessel capable of operating three ROVs and handling subsea modules weighing up to 80 tonnes. Given the tight schedule, constructing a new vessel was out of the question. A conversion became the only viable solution.
After a comprehensive feasibility study, HAV Design’s experts concluded that the MHS tower could indeed be installed on the existing hull. A detailed conversion plan was quickly developed, and the Fayard shipyard in Denmark was chosen for the work. Although the conversion was initially estimated to take 9–12 weeks, the project was completed in just six weeks—a remarkable achievement made possible through seamless collaboration between HAV Design, Rem Offshore, and DOF Subsea.
Through this transformation, the Rem Inspector has been upgraded to a state-of-the-art IMR vessel, ready for demanding operations in the North Sea. It is now equipped with modern emission-reducing technologies, improving both environmental performance and operational capability.
According to Petter Frøystad, Technical Manager at HAV Design, one key takeaway stands out:
“All design, engineering, and equipment documentation must be ready before the vessel arrives at the shipyard. The success of this project was built on the tight interplay between technical expertise and operational experience.”
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