Maersk sheds two more offshore vessels

Maersk Supply Service has sold two anchor handlers, the Maersk Puncher and Maersk Provider, as part of its divestment plan to shed as much as 20 vessels in the next year and a half.

Offshore Energy Today has already reported on Maersk Supply Service’s plan to cut its fleet vessels and axe more than 400 jobs in the process.

The company claims that the divestment plan is a response to vessels in lay-up, limited trading opportunities and the global over-supply of offshore supply vessels in the industry.

Maersk said that the two vessels were officially delivered to their new owners, the Istanbul-based Karadeniz Energy Group, on Tuesday. According to Maersk, both vessels will be modified by the new owner and will no longer compete in the offshore supply vessel (OSV) segment.

The Maersk Puncher and Maersk Provider joined the Maersk Supply Service fleet in the early 90’s. This brings the total of sold vessels to three after the Maersk Finder was sold in June. The current fleet now counts 54 vessels.