What Tasik Subsea claims is the most advanced diving support vessel (DSV) built in China has been launched.

The DSV Southern Star was launched at Fujian Mawei Shipyard in China on Monday.

The Southern Star is a 112 m, DP3, Saturation/Air Dive and ROV support vessel and will go into service early next year on a five-year bareboat charter.

Its ROV hangar can house two deep-water, construction class vehicles and the vessel's propulsion system is supplied by VOITH and Rolls Royce.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, John Giddens md of Tasik Subsea said: “At the outset we decided to build a technically advanced, cost effective vessel whilst working closely with the charterer from the start.

“Those decisions have been vindicated by the economic challenges that face our industry today as a result of low oil prices and the general slowdown in the marine industry.”

Fujian Mawei Shipyard Chairman Zhang Zhitong said it was new type of vessel for the yard and was an exciting development for the yard’s future.

Tasik Subsea was established in 2014 by Hallin Marine founder Giddens along with Mike Meade from M3 Marine.