The Craig Group News

Family-owned Craig Group, of Aberdeen, has sold its core North Star Shipping business to international investors  Basalt Infrastructure Partners in a move described as “restructuring for a new era”. "North Star Shipping has been acquired by Basalt Infrastructure Partners. The existing senior management team, staff and crew of North Star will remain with North Star, under the new owners," said a press release from the company. "The opportunity arose to secure the long-term future of North Star Shipping under new ownership who could bring even more opportunity for further investment and growth. Given our rich maritime heritage, this is not a decision we have taken lightly…

Global shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group, has launched its first F-Class vessel, the Grampian Fortress. The IMT 958 multi-role emergency response and rescue vessel (ERRV) was christened in the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain this week. She is the first of two F-class vessels in the group’s $171 million investment, which has already seen eight vessels delivered to Craig Group in the last two years. At 58 metres long, the Grampian Fortress features diesel electric propulsion via twin Azimuth Stern Drives.

North Star Shipping has reinforced its fleet of next generation vessels after taking delivery of its new ERRV, the Grampian Devotion, in Aberdeen. The latest vessel represents the eighth and final D-class IMT-950 Emergency Response and Rescue vessels (ERRVs) that the company has had specially built as part of a major $169 million investment program. Callum Bruce, managing director of North Star Shipping which is operated by Craig Group, said, “The delivery of the Grampian Devotion…

Three years ago, North Star Shipping installed ZF thrusters in the Grampion Don, the first in a series of new Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs). After three years in service, the craft’s ZF 4011 RT thruster passed without any problems at its first drydock inspection. North Star Shipping, part of the Craig Group, provides 24/7 support to more than 30 offshore installations in one of the world’s most hostile marine environments. Five of its D-class ERRVs are currently working to support oil and gas operators in the North Sea…

Aberdeen head-quartered global shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group, has marked its 80th anniversary with strong performance as it lodges its accounts at Companies House. The privately owned, family-run business, now employing the fourth generation of the Craig family, has reported turnover of £146.8 million with operating profits of £17.4 million for the year ending 30 April 2013. These are up on the previous year when turnover was £123.3 million and profits were £15.2 million.

Family owned shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group, announce the investment of £70million to build six new vessels at the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. Four D class IMT 950 Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs) and two F class IMT 958 ERRVs will be delivered during 2014 and early 2016, replacing existing tonnage in the fleet. The fleet expansion comprises of four D Class vessels, complementing the existing four D Class vessels already in service within the fleet.

Family-owned shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group, today announced the investment of £70 million to build six new rescue vessels at the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. Four D class IMT 950 Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs) and two F class IMT 958 ERRVs will be delivered during 2014 and early 2016, replacing existing tonnage in the fleet. Douglas Craig, Chairman and Managing Director of Craig Group, said, “This significant investment is part of our continued drive to operate the largest and most modern wholly British owned fleet engaged in the U.K.

Family owned shipping firm The Craig Group launched its latest Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), the Grampian Sceptre this week at the Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. The vessel was officially christened by Mrs. Frances Murray, wife of Alistair Murray, Logistics Team Lead at Talisman Sinopec Energy U.K. Ltd. Craig Group committed £50M to the construction of this vessel, and it’ sister vessel the Grampian Sovereign. The vessels are the largest ever built by Craig Group and both have secured long term contracts with Talisman Sinopec Energy U.K. Limited.

North Star Shipping, a division of the family-owned global shipping and energy services firm The Craig Group, entered a £63million contract with BP. The multi-service contract is for five years with a possible extension of five years and includes tanker assist, platform supply and emergency and response rescue vessels, all supporting BP’s operations in the North Sea. Four vessels, with a possible fifth to be added are being contracted – the Grampian Talisker, Grampian Frontier, Grampian Conquest and Grampian Dee.

Finalists for this year’s Offshore Achievement Awards have been named  {Tuesday 22 January}, in an announcement which celebrates the highest performing companies and individuals within the energy industry. The 2013 awards, which were launched in October by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Aberdeen Section, received a high level of interest across each of the categories. TAQA Bratani is supporting the awards as main sponsor for a second successive year. The awards, which were re-launched in 2011 by SPE Aberdeen…

Launch of an S-class Platform Supply Vessel (PSV)  at Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain for the Craig Group. The Craig Group has committed £50-million to the construction of the vessel, Grampian Sovereign, and its sister ship, Grampian Sceptre. Managed by The Craig Group division North Star Shipping, the two IMT-982 designed vessels will also create 50 new jobs for the Aberdeen based company. Going on long term charter in 2013 in the North Sea, the vessel represents a continued…

Aberdeen (Scotland) based global shipping and energy services firm, Craig Group, has announced healthy results for the year ending April 2012. The privately owned, family-run business has reported turnover of £123.3 million with operating profits of £14.8 million. This is an increase on their 2011 turnover of £11.4 million and a £1.7 million increase on operating profit from the same time period. EBITDA has risen from £19.1million in 2011 to £21.3millionin 2012. The group, whose core activities are the provision of offshore support…

The last in the series of new D class Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs), commissioned by Craig Group in a $55m investment programme, has been launched. The Grampian Defiance, the last of four new-build emergency rescue and response vessels (ERRVs) which will be managed by Craig Group division North Star Shipping, was launched today at Balenciaga Shipyard in Northern Spain. The new ERRVs – named the Grampian Don, the Grampian Dee, the Grampian Discovery and the Grampian…

Offshore Ship Designers has sealed ten new design contracts for large diesel-electric Platform Supply Vessels for two major offshore operators building at three shipyards in Brazil, Japan and Spain. Swire Pacific Offshore Operations (Pte) Limited has ordered four IMT-997 Platform Supply Vessels to be built by Universal Shipbuilding Corporation in Japan and four sister vessels to be built at the EISA shipyard in Brazil. The 97 m LOA 5,000 dwt vessels will be classed with DP2 capability and have diesel-electric propulsion systems with azimuth propulsion units.

North Star Shipping, a division of the family-owned global shipping and energy services firm The Craig Group, has been awarded a major new contract with Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd. Under the contract the company, which provides offshore support vessels to the industry, will build two new platform supply vessels to support Talisman Energy’s North Sea Operations. The contract, which is for five years with multiple options thereafter, will create 50 new jobs and represents a further $79m investment by The Craig Group in its fleet.

North Star Shipping, a division of the family-owned global shipping and energy services firm - Craig Group, has secured in excess of £20 million in new business and the renewal of existing contracts. The company which provides offshore support vessels to the offshore industry has won a new contract with the largest operator of Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in the North Sea. Under the new contract with Norwegian owned Teekay Petrojarl (part of the Teekay Corporation)…

Acteon has completed the acquisition of three companies from the Aberdeen-based Craig Group. They are Seatronics, International Mooring Systems (IMS) and Chain Corporation International (ChainCo). David Currie will continue to lead Seatronics; and Alan Duncan will head IMS and ChainCo. Both will report to Acteon Vice President Bernhard Bruggaier. The activities of IMS and ChainCo are very much in line with existing Acteon companies InterMoor and Trident – the two new companies will considerably improve Acteon’s overall offering in the moorings market. As a whole, InterMoor and IMS together will possess the world’s largest inventory of mooring equipment available for rental. The acquisition of Seatronics provides an entry for Acteon into the advanced marine survey sector.