Deltamarin receives ABS AiP for versatile FPSO hull design
December 3rd, 2025 – Deltamarin and China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) have received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society ABS for a new versatile Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) hull design. The AiP certificate was awarded on December 3, 2025, at Marintec China in Shanghai.
The AiP for the versatile FPSO recognizes the feasibility of a robust, fatigue-friendly FPSO hull optimized for multiple field locations, including deepwater operations west of Africa. The vessel features:
| Length Overall | 285.10 m |
| Breadth | 60.97 m |
| Depth | 29.30 m |
| Maximum Draft | ~19.60 m |
| Crude Oil Storage Capacity | 1.5 MMBBL |
| Tank Arrangement | 5 x 3 configuration |
| Hull Shape | Barge with double bottom & side |
| Topside Capacity | 25,000 MT |
| Mooring System | Spread moored 4 x 4 configuration |
| Riser Balcony | 60-bay |
| Design Life | 30 years |
Using Deltamarin’s in-house tools, the main dimensions of the FPSO hull were optimized for minimum weight with only a few key inputs and constraints. Two additional hull variants (1.0 and 2.0 MMBBL) were also developed using our parametric hull model in a fraction of the time traditionally required for resizing of the FPSO hull.
The structural design of the FPSO hull is benchmarked against rule loads, enabling the concept to be utilized in different locations around the globe. Depending on the site conditions, the structural design can be further optimized for reduced steel weight, directly translating into lower CAPEX.
Together with CMHI, standardized design solutions have already been developed to ensure fast and efficient project execution during the EPC phase.
“The target of this project was to create a versatile FPSO hull with simple, robust marine systems and fatigue-friendly structural details,” said Toni Salminen, project manager at Deltamarin. “Our approach allows for tailor-made FPSO designs in a short timeframe, optimized for different locations and operational conditions worldwide.”
Read also about our five next-generation vessel designs, which were granted AiPs from DNV and Lloyd’s Register (LR) at Marintec China 2025.
About Deltamarin
Deltamarin Group provides ship design, offshore engineering, and construction support for the marine and offshore industries worldwide. The services include the full range of consulting, design, and engineering as well as procurement, support for construction and installation. The Group employs around 400 experts in its own and associated companies located in Europe and Asia. Deltamarin is part of China Merchants Group. www.deltamarin.com
About ABS
ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) is a global classification society that establishes safety and performance standards for ships, offshore structures, and marine technology, helping ensure the integrity, reliability, and sustainability of maritime operations. eagle.org
For more information, please contact
