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Every vessel conversion changes what a hull was originally built to do. Moving a PSV into SOV or Walk-to-Work service, repurposing an offshore support vessel for subsea or IMR work, or upgrading accommodation and control areas all place new structural, stability, and operational demands on a vessel designed around a different mission. Treating these changes as one coordinated engineering scope, rather than a series of isolated modifications, is what keeps the project on schedule and within Class.
GLO Marine provides end-to-end vessel conversion engineering, taking a vessel from feasibility study through concept design, structural modification, stability verification, class approval, and installation supervision. Our scope covers general arrangement redesign, structural and deck reconfiguration, stability and strength assessment, system integration, and the full documentation package required for Class and flag-state sign-off.
From the first feasibility review through re-delivery in its new role, we coordinate every engineering discipline around the vessel's new mission. The result is a converted vessel that is structurally sound, fully compliant, and ready for the operations it was repurposed to perform.
A properly engineered conversion replaces yard guesswork with a verified technical basis.
Instead of committing to structural changes and resolving compliance gaps as they appear, a structured conversion process:
By engineering the conversion up front, vessels move from concept to re-delivery with fewer late-stage redesigns and less risk to the yard schedule.
The services rendered were excellent, with full attention to all our details and requirements. Furthermore, I would like to highlight the effective communication and collaboration throughout the entire process.
Your team kept us well-informed at every stage, addressing our concerns promptly and providing valuable insights that contributed to the overall success of the project.
A successful vessel conversion depends on more than reworking the general arrangement. It requires coordinated engineering across structures, stability, systems, interfaces, class requirements, and installation planning, all validated against the vessel's new operational role.
GLO Marine provides the complete vessel-side engineering package for PSV-to-SOV/W2W conversions, subsea and IMR support conversions, accommodation and control area upgrades, and mission profile changes. Our capabilities include feasibility studies, concept and detailed design, general arrangement redesign, structural analysis, deck reconfiguration, stability and strength assessments, mechanical and piping engineering, electrical engineering, class documentation, procurement & logistics, installation, and commissioning.
By managing these disciplines as one integrated scope, we help ensure that structural modifications are sound, the converted vessel meets its stability and strength envelope, and class approval is secured without delaying re-delivery.
We support vessel conversions, PSV and OSV mission changes, and retrofit projects across the North Sea, West Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
A vessel conversion project establishes a coordinated engineering basis for structural change, stability, class compliance, and delivery into the vessel's new role.
Instead of finalising the general arrangement and resolving stability or compliance issues once modifications are already underway, a structured process:
By engineering the conversion in advance, the vessel can be modified, verified, and re-delivered efficiently, with fewer delays and reduced technical risk.
A technical review of the intended new mission profile against the vessel's existing structure, systems, and certification.
This stage includes:
The objective is to confirm conversion feasibility and define scope before concept design begins.
A conversion-specific general arrangement is developed around the vessel's new operational role. This includes deck reconfiguration, accommodation and control area layout, structural modifications, and system routing.
Each concept is engineered for the intended mission (new deck space for subsea equipment, additional accommodation for SOV/W2W operations, or reconfigured control areas) rather than applying a generic upgrade package.
The vessel's stability and structural strength are reassessed for the proposed converted condition. Updated calculations confirm the impact of structural modifications, added weight, and the new operating profile.
Where a conversion adds personnel capacity, such as an accommodation or control-area upgrade, this stage also covers SPS class notation requirements, including the additional life-saving, stability, and evacuation criteria that come with it.
Where required, we also define operational limits relating to loading conditions, sea state, and equipment use, and coordinate the supporting documentation with the relevant classification society and flag state.
Once the design is approved, detailed structural drawings, fabrication information, and installation sequencing are prepared to align with the yard's production schedule and the vessel's re-delivery date.
GLO Marine can also support procurement, structural fabrication, systems installation, and site supervision throughout the conversion, whether the work is carried out at a yard, alongside, or in a hybrid execution model.
The completed conversion is reviewed against the approved design, class requirements, flag-state obligations, and the vessel's new operational scope. Modified systems are functionally checked, outstanding items are closed out, and the final documentation package is compiled for the vessel and owner.
Post-conversion engineering support can also be provided during the vessel's first operations in its new role, where required. Where a converted vessel is heading straight into a specific campaign, this handover can extend directly into vessel mobilisation engineering for that deployment, so the same team carries the vessel from re-delivery through to sail-away.
Most offshore support vessels can be converted for a new mission, subject to engineering assessment, including PSVs converted to SOV or Walk-to-Work configuration, offshore vessels adapted for subsea or IMR support, and vessels upgraded with new accommodation or control areas. A feasibility study is required to confirm the structural and stability basis for the new role.
Duration depends on the scope of structural change, the availability of approved engineering, yard capacity, and the extent of class or flag-state review required. Early engagement matters: completing feasibility, engineering, class approval, and procurement planning before the vessel enters the yard can significantly reduce time on the blocks and protect the re-delivery date.
Structural modifications, added decks, new equipment, and revised accommodation can all change a vessel's displacement, centre of gravity, trim, and stability margins. A revised stability assessment, covering intact and damage conditions, is required for the converted vessel. This should account for the new general arrangement, operational loading cases, equipment weights, and any life-saving or personnel-capacity requirements tied to the vessel's new role. The resulting stability information defines the approved operating condition for the converted vessel.
Responsibility is normally agreed between the vessel owner, yard, and engineering provider. The vessel owner usually remains responsible for maintaining the vessel's statutory and class compliance. However, the party developing the conversion design will typically prepare the required calculations, drawings, technical notes, and supporting documentation for submission and approval.
In many cases, existing structure, foundations, and systems can be reused or adapted, provided their condition and suitability for the new mission are verified. The original design basis must be checked against the new operational requirements, loading conditions, vessel condition, and current class status. A formal engineering review and physical survey should be completed before existing structures or systems are accepted for reuse in the converted design.
Frequent causes include:
A defined design freeze, early feasibility review, clear approval strategy, and coordinated interface management between all parties are the most effective ways to reduce schedule risk on a conversion project.
Planning to convert a PSV to SOV or Walk-to-Work configuration, repurpose a vessel for subsea or IMR support, or upgrade accommodation and control areas? Our specialists can assess your vessel's structural and stability envelope, identify the engineering required, and develop a conversion plan built around your target mission and schedule.
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