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Norwegian firm Eidesvik has entered into a contract agreement to build a fourth platform supply vessel powered by natural gas.

Eidesvik built the world’s first natural gas powered cargo vessel, the Viking Energy, as early as in 2003, and the company is also developing environmentally-friendly fuel cell technology for offshore vessels.

The contract for the fourth vessel is between Eidesvik Offshore ASA subsidiary Eidesvik Supply AS and Kleven Maritime AS.

The newbuild is a natural gas-powered Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) type: VS 489 LNG [pictured], 89 meters long and 21 meters wide. The vessel is to be delivered in the spring of 2012.

The contract value is close to 440 million Norwegain Kroner (approximately US$ 70 million).

Eidesvik has an option to build another VS 489 LNG vessel for delivery in the third quarter of 2012 for the same price. The vessel is designed for low fuel consumption.

“With this new vessel Eidesvik strengthens its position as a leading shipping company as regards building and managing environmental friendly offshore vessels”, said Eidesvik CEO Jan Fredrik Meling.