The vessel has been specifically designed and built to address the varied demands of the region's deepwater markets.

She is departing for her maiden contract off Australia's northwest coast, where she will undertake work to aid foundation design for seabed infrastructure.

The vessel will be performing seabed in situ testing, large-diameter piston cores, drilled borings and downhole in situ tests in water depths up to 1350m.

At 83m by 20m with a twin-tower drilling derrick over a centrally located moon pool, the vessel has automated pipe and tool-handling equipment to promote safe drilling floor operations.

Equipment includes downhole and seabed sampling, and testing systems rated for 3000m water depth.

Besides having dynamic position station-holding capability, the Fugro Voyager is built to Comfort Class COMF-V(3) standards, with quarters for up to 60 people.

A large soil laboratory is located next to the drill floor, giving an open-plan working environment for the geotechnicans.

Other areas in the vessel include client offices, a conference room, day rooms and a gymnasium.

"By permanently stationing this purpose-built deepwater asset in the region we are improving availability for our Asia Pacific customers and providing better workability to meet their project requirements," Fugro Singapore managing director Jerry Paisley said.