Kim Heng christens the Bridgewater Discovery offshore geotechnical survey vessel

The vessel can drill up to 300 meters below the seabed, integrating advanced systems.
Foto desde arriba del buque Bridgewater Discovery

With the christening ceremony completed, the Bridgewater Discovery is now ready for operation. Kim Heng Ltd officially launched this unit specializing in offshore geotechnical studies, reinforcing its strategic commitment to the development of renewable energy in Asia.

The Bridgewater Discovery vessel is designed for advanced exploration

The Bridgewater Discovery , completely rebuilt in 2024, measures 76 meters in length and 20 meters in width. It features a double-decker drilling system capable of reaching up to 300 meters below the seabed. Also on board is state-of-the-art equipment such as the WISON-APB CPT, Geomil Manta 200, and Seismic CPT systems, enabling detailed surveys of the seafloor.

The vessel also includes a 60-ton articulated crane and a 55 m² geotechnical laboratory with accommodation capacity for 59 people. The Vibrocore system and PS Logger integrate complementary capabilities for seismic analysis and sediment core collection.

Bridgewater Discovery ship was christened
The vessel is 76 meters long and 20 meters wide. Source: Kim Heng

The development of this vessel is the result of a strategic alliance between Kim Heng and the South Korean company Soiltech Engineering Co Ltd (STE). With more than two decades of experience in subsurface investigation, STE contributes key technology and expertise to offer comprehensive exploration services, specifically geared toward offshore wind projects.

New capacities for the wind market

This new asset will be used for pre-construction geotechnical investigations for offshore wind farms in Korea and other Southeast Asian regions. The collaboration between Kim Heng and STE already includes signed framework agreements to provide investigation services for multiple wind energy projects under development.

Bridgewater Discovery is not only a testament to innovative engineering, but also a critical operational tool for the sustainable growth of the offshore sector.

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Source and photos: Kim Hen