Pipe-lay vessel (S-lay / J-lay / reel-lay)
- Category
- offshore-construction
- Size envelope
- 20,000-100,000 GT
- LOA typical
- 150-250 m
- Cargo
- Steel pipe (offshore pipeline segments)
- Route archetype
- Global offshore-oil-and-gas
- Crew size
- 200-400
Overview
Specialised vessel for offshore pipeline construction. S-lay: welded pipe segments assembled on the vessel + laid via a stinger over the stern (traditional shallow-water). J-lay: pipe laid nearly vertical for deep water. Reel-lay: pre-fabricated pipeline reeled onto the vessel + reeled out at sea. Owners: Saipem, Subsea 7, Allseas, McDermott, Van Oord. High-value contracts. Rank profile: Master + Chief Officer + DPOs + welders + client project staff (200-400 total).