New Osv News

Malaysia's state energy firm Petronas recently launched a tender for the construction of 16 offshore support vessels (OSV), The Edge Weekly reported on Saturday.The newspaper reported, citing sources, that the invitation to bid is for the first batch of contracts and Petronas has plans to build 100 vessels in four years as it phases out its old vessels.The sources said Petronas has set a few requirements for the new OSV contracts, among them that the vessels will have to be built in local shipyards and bidders have to obtain financing from Malaysia-based banks.(Reporting by Liz Lee; Editing by

Dutch shipbuilding conglomerate Damen has developed a new concept vessel, the Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) 9020, featuring a stable platform with lots of accommodation, good station-keeping capability, low carbon emissions and flexibility to add mission-specific tools.“We were approached by several different operators at the same time, all looking for slightly different offshore capabilities, but similar enough that their requirements could be met with a conceptual standard platform…

In recent decades there have been great advances in design of crewboats and offshore supply vessels to meet the needs of the petroleum industry. Recently a number of nations have turned to these designs as inspiration for naval craft. Now the Government Shipping Services of the Fiji Islands have turned to a designer and a builder of offshore vessels for a new inter-island ferry. The M/V Cavigou was designed by United Ship Design of Sibu and built by Kian Juan Dockyard in Miri, also in Sarawak, Malaysia.

After all, the industry was created in America ... it is only appropriate that the United States dominate it again. Offshore supply vessels (OSVs), also known as platform supply vessels (PSVs), have been a distinct vessel type since 1956, when the MV Ebb Tide was placed into service in the Gulf of Mexico. Ebb Tide was designed by Alden J. “Doc” Laborde to meet the growing demand for vessels to service the increasing number of offshore oil drilling rigs in those waters. Previously, this new industry had been served, albeit inadequately, by existing vessels, particularly surplus amphibious assault barges. Ebb Tide was designed with the pilot house at the bow and with an open deck from there aft to the stern.

Oceanteam Shipping ASA says that it has secured, through its joint venture DOT Holdings AS, an interest in a new build Offshore Support Vessel, and as a result a 
partnership with Pacific Radiance Ltd., subject to certain conditions subsequent, has been established. Once full closure is reached the initial interest of DOT Holdings AS is 50%. The investment comes with an option to buy the remaining 50% after a period of 7 years against agreed terms. The commercial terms remain confidential. The project is fully financed upon closure of certain conditions subsequent. Closure of remaining conditions subsequent, are expected to be finalised in the coming month.

Incat Crowther informs of the delivery of 'John Jacob', a 205’ aluminum monohull Crew Supply Vessel, for Barry Graham Oil Service (BGOS) of Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Built to a high standard by Halimar Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana, the project’s successful completion is the result of a close collaboration between operator, shipyard, and designer. The John Jacob has a vast aft cargo deck of nearly 340 sqm (3,640 square feet), which carries loads up to 450 long tons. The main deck cabin houses 72 passenger seats, passenger shower and toilet, stores, a dedicated DP equipment room, and access to the upper deck wheelhouse below deck accommodations. A deck locker, accessed from the cargo deck, is provided for storage of deck cargo securing equipment and other safety gear.

The new OSV is of a Havyard 832 design, and is the seventh vessel Havyard has constructed for the Indian shipping company Global Offshore Services. Havyard say that this is the largest ever vessel to be named in Fosnavaag, something which justified some major celebrations, and Havyard invited everyone in the town to an open boat session plus a free concert from the well-known Norwegian rap duo Erik and Kriss. During the naming ceremony the godmother, Bianca Kremer, wished the vessel good fortune and success…

Petrobras has signed contracts with Brazilian shipbuilders as part of its 3rd 'Fleet Renewal Plan for Offshore Support Vessels (OSV's). The units, type PSV 4500 and OSRV 750, fulfill 60% local content requirements and will be built in Brazil. Petrobas say tha prices presented were competitive, given expected metrics and budgets. This was the 4th Round of the Fleet Renewal Plan. In July this year, Petrobras will go to the market for another 24 offshore support vessels (5th Round), thus fulfilling the 2014 contracting target of 146 vessels to be built in Brazil, as planned in the 3rd Renewal Plan Fleet for Offshore Support Vessels. Starnav Serviços Marítimos Ltda., Galáxia Marítima Ltda., Geonavegação S.A., Astromarítima Navegação S.A. and Oceanpact Serviços Marítimos Ltda.

Wärtsilä awarded a major contract to design a series of four multi-purpose platform support vessels (MPSVs) for Malaysian owner. The contract has been placed by Bumi Armada Berhad, a Malaysian-based international offshore oilfield services provider and also the largest owner and operator of offshore support vessels in Malaysia. Wärtsilä will also supply a comprehensive solutions package for each of the vessels. The vessels will be built by a subsidiary of Nam Cheong Limited, Malaysia's largest Offshore Support Vessels builder…

Wärtsilä contracted for a complete (LNG) package, including propulsion, auxiliaries & controls, for a new OSV designed by STX Marine. The ship has been ordered by Harvey Gulf International Marine as a part of the company’s ‘Going Green’ initiative. The vessel will operate in the Gulf of Mexico’s offshore oilfields. Wärtsilä will supply the steerable thrusters, an Integrated Automation System, the Power Management System, a complete Low Loss Concept for the electrical distribution and drive architecture.

Eidesvik has entered into sales agreements of US$ 64 million for the two supply vessels Viking Surf (built 2002) and Viking Thaumas (built 2005). Both vessels are employed on contracts in Brazil. The deliveries of the vessels are expected to take place in the first half of May 2012. The company will record a gain of approximately 77 million Kroner. A seller credit of US$ 12 million is established in connection with the transaction. The credit is secured by a bank guarantee and will be repaid by 12 installments during the next 12 months. The transaction will give a positive net liquidity of US$ 32 million after mortgages have been paid. Simultaneously Eidesvik has entered into an agreement for buying a supply vessel, a UT 755L built at STX Aukra Norway in 2004, for US$ 24 million.

The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) has accepted delivery of the 80 T bollard pull OSV “M.V. SCI Mukta”. SCI had signed contracts for acquisition of four newbuilding with Bharati Shipyard Limited, India. The first two vessels, “m.v. SCI Panna” and “m.v. SCI Ratna” were delivered to SCI last year. “SCI Mukta” is the third vessel of the series. The fourth vessel is scheduled for delivery by June 2012. The latest vessel has a gross tonnage of 2,039 tonnes and deadweight of 1,966 tonnes, classed with IRS and been built to comply with the latest and most stringent international regulations. In the offshore sector, SCI presently has a fleet of 12 vessels of which 9 vessels were acquired during the mid eighties.

Increased sophistication within the offshore support vessel (OSV) market has prompted classification society ABS to develop standalone guidance for these more specialized yet multi-functional vessels. Newly developed criteria and relevant existing Rule requirements have been consolidated into the ABS Guide for Building and Classing Offshore Support Vessels. ABS classes approximately one-third of the worldwide OSV fleet and in the past had reviewed these specialized vessels by following the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels Under 90 Meters (295 Feet) in Length.

While ten letters in all, “moratorium” might as well be the foulest four-letter word in the Gulf of Mexico oil patch right now. On May 27, the Obama Administration ordered a halt to drilling in water depths more than 500 feet, effectively cancelling 33 drilling projects and reversing a tide of industry optimism in the region. Bill Foret, president of Golden Meadow, La.-based Abdon Callais Offshore LLC, said the company could have placed 50 OSVs to work on April 19 — a day before BP’s Deepwater Horizon explosion, which killed 11 crew members and set off a gusher of crude 5,000 feet below the Gulf’s surface for more than 80 days. “The OSV market was showing signs of improving,” Foret said. Kurt Crosby, CEO of Crosby Tugs Inc., based in Golden Meadow, La., agreed.

The Edison Chouest Offshore family of companies announced plans to design and build a series of a dozen 300-ft., 5,300 DWT deepwater diesel-electric offshore supply vessels. “Since 2003, the core of our newbuild program has been a series of 42 new generation, 4,750 DWT deepwater 280-ft. offshore supply vessels,” said Gary Chouest. “Those vessels revolutionized the industry and have performed remarkably well for our many customers in the U.S. But with the 280-ft. series winding down (30 currently in operation, another 12 under construction and scheduled for completion by the second quarter 2010), Chouest sought a different and more diverse option for its customers. “Our diesel-electric design complies with all new emissions standards and IMO regulations.

Bollinger’s latest is a new 191-ft. platform supply boat that meets all new regulatory requirements including DPS1 and is under 200 ft. The New Generation BoTruc will be focused on supporting the shelf activity in the US Gulf of Mexico. Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., has added another new design to its list of “less is more” offshore service vessels (OSV) that have cargo carrying capacities of larger vessels without the added equipment, operational and maintenance costs to their owners or operators.

The offshore supply vessel market remains as competitive as ever, with companies attempting to lure customers with the best possible value for their day rates and other appealing offers. Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc., Mandeville, La., found a simple answer to stay ahead of the competition: build a well-designed fleet and equip it with the best technology you can afford. "It's that simple," says Carl Annessa, Hornbeck vice president of operations. "Customers want to contract boats that get the job done for the best value. Hornbeck Offshore owns a fleet of seven offshore supply vessels (OSVs) that are contracted to oil companies for oil exploration and production services, as well as drill rig support in deep water.

Thoma-Sea Boatbuilders Inc., Houma, La., launched the first of two new 150-ft. offshore supply vessels (OSVs) it is building for Massie Towing of Houma. The vessels were designed by Frank Basil of Intech & Associates, also of Houma. The first vessel, M1, entered service in mid-June, and the second vessel is scheduled to launch in December 2000. Massie will operate both vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. Propulsion power for the two new OSVs comes from twin Cat 3508EUI marine engines, each rated 905 bhp (675 bkW) at 1,600 rpm. The electronic unit injected 3508s drive Bird Johnson 72 x 59 in. propellers through Twin Disc 5:1 gears, providing a service speed of 14 knots.

Harvey Gulf International Marine, Inc., signed a contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Panama City Fla., for the construction of the new generation 280 x 60 ft. Deep Water Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV), to be named Harvey Spirit. The Harvey Gulf International Marine New Generation design incorporates large capacities in a manageable vessel design with a space-efficient design. It has a clear deck dimension of 202 x 52 ft. (10,500 sq. ft.), drilling fluid capacity of 13,500 bbl., 12,000 cu. ft. dry bulk along with its extremely high water and fuel capacities. Liquid cargo loading and delivery systems aboard the HGIM New Generation include oversize piping systems. The vessels can discharge liquid mud at high flow rates (1,400 gpm).