HEA Energy, a fast-growing offshore services provider based in the UAE, has officially expanded its fleet with the addition of HEA Survey, a highly versatile subsea support and survey vessel designed to meet the evolving demands of modern offshore operations.
The ABS-classed, Panamanian-flagged vessel represents a major step forward for the company as it continues to strengthen its capabilities across the Middle East’s offshore oil, gas, and renewable energy markets.
Built by Jiangsu Islands Shipbuilding in China, HEA Survey was conceived as a multi-role offshore workhorse capable of undertaking a wide spectrum of subsea activities. These include high-precision survey work, ROV support, subsea inspection campaigns, light well intervention, dive support, heavy lifting, firefighting duties, and anchor-handling operations. Although the vessel’s construction began in 2013 and was significantly delayed, with completion only achieved in late 2024, she emerges with a thoroughly modern design tailored to today’s offshore requirements.
Measuring 59.25 metres in length with a beam of 15 metres, the vessel features a robust diesel-electric propulsion system engineered for operational flexibility. Two 2,100hp engines, paired with multiple generators and controllable-pitch propellers, deliver up to 12 knots while enabling dynamic load management. This configuration allows the vessel to operate efficiently during low-speed survey work or station-keeping a critical capability for precision subsea tasks. An electrically driven bow thruster further enhances lateral manoeuvrability, making the vessel suitable for operations in both shallow and deepwater environments.
A considerable 350-square-metre aft working deck, reinforced to handle seven tonnes per square metre, gives HEA Survey the capacity to support modular mission packages such as ROV hangars, geotechnical equipment, and ISO container-based systems. With a maximum payload of up to 500 tonnes and a 25-tonne SWL crane, the vessel is well-equipped for heavy offshore logistics and deployment work.
Despite not being DP-classed, the combination of controllable-pitch propellers, bow thrusters, and a diesel-electric system ensures reliable station-keeping for a broad range of survey and subsea activities. The vessel also features a complete suite of modern navigation and communication electronics, including S- and X-band radars, AIS, echosounder, GPS, Doppler log, and MF/HF radio equipment.
Accommodation onboard is fully air-conditioned and compliant with ILO standards, providing comfortable living quarters for up to 48 crew members across a mix of single, double, and quad cabins. Safety provisions are SOLAS-compliant, with liferafts, immersion suits, fire monitors, and a dedicated MOB boat with davit launch capability.
Entering service in the UAE, HEA Survey positions HEA Energy to meet growing regional demand for multi-role offshore support vessels particularly within subsea construction, well intervention, offshore survey campaigns, and the expanding clean-energy marine sector.
