Maersk Orders New Vessels for Canadian Offshore Market

Maersk Supply Service has signed a contract with Chilean shipyard Asenav for two innovative new offshore vessels with an option for – up to – four additional vessels.  The project value for the two vessels is close to USD 200 million. The vessels will replace existing vessels operating in the Canadian offshore market.

 “We are very pleased with this order for new vessels which as far as working environment for the crew onboard and a green operational profile will be a substantial improvement from today’s standards,” says CEO of Maersk Supply Service, Carsten Plougmann Andersen.

The vessels will be suitable for a range of services to the offshore industry including iceberg management, anchor handling, standby, general support of drilling rigs and other offshore installations supplying essential supplies – like fuel, water, equipment, drilling mud and other materials required for drilling operations.

“These vessels will set a new standard for emission levels, operational efficiency and uptime in the offshore industry because of many new design features,” Plougmann says.

25% energy reduction

The two vessels have been designed to fit with the operational profile of the vessels working offshore East Canada. That means the hull has been designed to fit with the speed and work patterns in the ultra harsh environment.

Unlike conventional supply vessels, all machinery is optimised for low energy consumption. Some new features are expected to reduce energy consumption on the vessels by up to 25%. The vessels have been designed in collaboration with Maersk Maritime Technology and Wartsila Ship design, and will have a bollard pull of 150 tonnes. The vessels are expected to be delivered in February 2014 and January of 2015, respectively.

Maersk Supply Service has a strong position in the Canadian offshore market and is currently operating nine vessels for a number of customers in the area with base port in St John’s, Newfoundland.

Collision

One of Maersk’s vessels, was recently involved in a collision offshore Newfoundland. An anchor handling tug supply vessel, Maersk Detector, collided with Transocean’s GSF Grand Banks rig.  Both, the vessel and the rig have been damaged to some extent, but luckily the crew sustained no injuries.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, December 15, 2011; Image: Maersk Supply Service