Transfer Services News

As the world looks to renewable energy sources to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, offshore wind has emerged as a promising frontier in the United States. A report by the University of California Berkeley released in August concluded that due to the nation’s long coastlines with sustained winds in many areas and falling turbine costs, offshore wind could feasibly supply between 10% and 25% of the country’s energy demand by 2050.While that may paint a rosy picture of a cleaner…

Shipping and energy logistics company Crowley said Tuesday it is proceeding with plans to provide liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering services on the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, under the first permit issued by the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) for the provision of such services.Crowley’s advanced energy group will operate the service to manage the ship-to-ship LNG transfer services. With a potential start date in 2024, Crowley is preparing to provide bunkering and related…

It’s amazing to consider that a commercial vessel in the Pacific Ocean, approaching the mouth of the Columbia River, can continue its eastward journey to finally tie up at the Port of Lewiston, in Lewiston, Idaho, America’s most inland West Coast port, 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean.The Columbia and Snake Rivers form that critical east-west waterway, an economic powerhouse regionally, nationally and internationally. According to the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA)…

Dutch shipbuilder Royal Niestern Sander last weekend launched "yard number 862", a shallow draft ice-breaking walk to work vessel, being built for a joint venture between the Russian companies Mercury Sakhalin and Pola."The world’s first ice-breaking walk-to-work vessel is one step closer to delivery and operations in harsh weather conditions in Sakhalin. To be continued!," the shipbuilder said in a press statement on Tuesday.The shallow draft ice-breaking walk-to-work vessel is designed and optimized for year-round operations in the challenging conditions on the east coast of Sakhalin…

Rhode Island-based owner and operator of crew transfer vessels (CTV) Atlantic Wind Transfers (AWT) has engaged classification society DNV for the company’s integrated Management System Certification as it seeks to scale up in the U.S. offshore wind industry. The company is working with DNV in pursuing international Safety Management Systems (SMS) certification and ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certification.As the U.S. offshore wind industry expands, the country's first Jones…

Unique collaboration on green fuels, new propulsion technology and hull-form optimization in the workboat sector will lay the foundation for global emissions reduction efforts.The workboat sector, comprising one of the strongest categories of the UK’s Ship Register and including many Small to Medium size Enterprises (SMEs), is leading the charge in developing innovative technologies that will ultimately reduce emissions throughout the wider maritime industry. This is according to the Workboat Association (WA)…

Dutch shipbuilder Royal Niestern Sander has ordered Schottel thrusters for what has been described as the world's first shallow-draught ice-breaking walk-to-work vessel, targeted for operation at the Russian Far East.Under the order from a joint venture between the Russian companies Mercury Sakhalin and Pola, Royal Niestern Sander is constructing the 75.9-meter-long, 14-meter-wide vessel that will serve the offshore oil and gas installations near the Sakhalin Island, Russia.After ordering an ice-strengthened gangway for the vessel form Ampelmann in June…

Dutch offshore crew transfer specialist Ampelmann will deliver an ice-strengthened gangway for the recently ordered, Russia-bound, shallow draft ice-breaking walk to work vessel.As previously reported, Dutch shipbuilder Niestern Sander, with compatriot vessel-owner Wagenborg Offshore, signed a deal with Mercury Sakhalin and Pola for the construction of the vessel. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2021, and will serve the oil and gas industry in Russia's far east.In a statement on Thursday…

After a tender procedure, Dutch shipyard Royal Niestern Sander and a joint-venture between Russia's Mercury Sakhalin and Pola have signed an agreement for the construction of the world’s first shallow draft ice-breaking walk to work vessel. After delivery in December 2021, Mercury Sakhalin will operate this vessel on the East Coast of Sakhalin, Russia for the offshore oil and gas industry.Acting as an intermediary between both parties, Wagenborg Offshore have contributed to the…

Babcock Australasia announced it has been awarded a further contract for helicopter marine pilot transfer services at the Newcastle Port, following a competitive tender process.Under the contract, Babcock will provide aircraft, pilots, engineering personnel and maintenance staff to ensure the safe transportation of marine pilots to ships located 3 to 8 nautical miles offshore. This continues the services that Babcock has provided at the Port since 1999.“This new contract reinforces…

Summit Power International (SPI), Singapore, announced that its subsidiary, Summit LNG Terminal has awarded a 15-year contract to PSA Marine Bangladesh, a subsidiary of PSA Marine. Under the contract, PSA Marine Bangladesh will provide berthing, mooring, pilot and personnel transfer services to LNG ships calling at Summit LNG FSRU terminal, with its three escort tugboats, one fast crew boat and one offshore supply vessel. The award of this contract marks a significant milestone for PSA Marine and commencement of a long-term partnership with SPI. Together with Summit LNG, PSA Marine Bangladesh targetsto commence operations in early 2019.

Allianz Middle East Ship Management and Maritime Craft Services (MCS)have taken delivery of a Damen Fast Crew Supplier 2610. Demonstrating the cooperative relationship between the two companies, the new vessel will offer safe and cost efficient crew transfer services for up to 50 passengers to and from the Abu Dhabi oil fields.The two companies welcomed guests on board the new vessel in a festive celebration during this year’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC). Business associates and clients were given a tour on board the vessel at the Emirates Palace Marina. “We are very proud to see another FCS 2610 enter service in the Middle East oil and gas industry,” states Damen Sales Manager Middle East Teun Haverkort.

Marine News contributor Robert Kunkel asks: Are we ready to support the farms? On August 19, 2016, we watched as the fifth tower and associated nacelle was raised on the Deepwater Offshore Wind Farm approximately 3 miles offshore of Block Island, Rhode Island. This is the first Offshore Wind farm erected in the United States and, without a doubt, a huge step forward for this controversial project and alternative energy supply. The Block Island Wind Farm has a total generating capacity of 30 megawatts and is projected to produce approximately 125,000 megawatt hours annually.

Transmission Capital Services (TCS) has chartered one of CWind’s crew transfer vessels (CTV) on a five-year contract to support works at several of their offshore substations in the U.K. CWind, a provider of services to the offshore wind industry, said it is using one of its MPC19 resin infused composite catamarans to provide the crew transfer services. CWind announced in February this year that it had won a 20-year contract from TC Westermost Rough OFTO Limited, one of the OFTOs managed by TCS, to maintain the secondary mechanical and electrical systems of both the offshore and onshore substations at the Westermost Rough project. The earlier contract covered all routine inspection, diagnostics and planned maintenance work, as well as a first response service and offshore transport.

Global integrated drilling waste management and environmental services firm, TWMA, has recently secured a £1.5 million contract with Apache on the WilPhoenix platform in the North Sea Beryl field. As part of TWMA’s fully integrated waste management solution, the one year (with one year option) contract will utilise the company’s award-winning TCC RotoMill® for offshore processing and EfficientC® for cuttings transfer and distribution. Chief operating officer, Neil Potter, said: “We have built a strong relationship with Apache over the last five years, and are delighted to have been selected to support on the WilPhoenix project. The provision of bulk transportation involves directly pumping drill cuttings from storage tanks onboard the rig to a supply vessel…

DONG Energy has awarded  offshore energy support vessel operator Seacat Services with the supply contract for all crew transfer services at its 258MW Burbo Bank Extension project under development in the Irish Sea. The four-vessel charter contract, with durations of three to 11 months, is the second such agreement signed between Seacat Services and DONG Energy in 2016, following the confirmation of a four-workboat construction support deal for the Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm in April. With a handful of remaining ‘Round 2.5’ extension projects due for installation in U.K.

The first US-built and operated offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel will be named at an official christening ceremony in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Following the Christening the ‘Atlantic Pioneer’, owned and operated by Atlantic Wind Transfers, the commercial wind support services arm of Rhode Island Fast Ferry, will embark on the first phase of a 20-year charter to support the construction and operation of the Block Island offshore wind farm. The Block Island site, currently under construction by developer Deepwater Wind off the coast of Rhode Island…

IMTRA, a manufacturer and importer of commercial marine products, has delivered equipment to the first U.S.-flagged offshore wind farm crew transfer vessel (CTV), Atlantic Pioneer. IMTRA’s scope of supply includes the Colorlight CL20 high-output searchlight, Decca Straight Line wiper system and LED deck, interior and engine room lights for the Blount Boats-built, 69-foot CTV. The vessel was locally built in Rhode Island and has been delivered to its operator, Atlantic Wind Transfers which is based in Quonset Point, R.I.

Teekay Tankers Ltd. reported adjusted net income attributable to its shareholders of $48.5 million, or $0.31 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, compared to $18.6 million, or $0.21 per share, for the same period in the prior year. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 42 cents per share. The increase is primarily due to stronger spot tanker rates in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in the prior year and an increase in fleet size related to the acquisition of 17 modern, mid-size tankers during 2015 and the expansion of the Company's chartered-in tanker portfolio in 2014 and 2015.

CWind wins crew transfer vessel contract from Fred Olsen at Walney 1 & 2 offshore wind farms   CWind announced that it has won an eight-month contract to provide crew transfer services to Fred Olsen at Walney 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. One of the more than 20 crew transfer vessels in the fleet operated by CWind, will assist with O&M activities at the two wind farms.   Peter Jorgensen, Managing Director, CWind commented the contract win: “Fred Olsen had a requirement for an additional crew transfer vessel and we’re delighted to be able to support them in their operations.”

CWind has announced that it has won a six months contract to provide crew transfer services to Greater Gabbard Offshore wind farm.   Its 19m catamaran, one of more than 20 crew transfer vessels in the fleet operated by CWind, will assist with O&M activities at the project, which became operational in August 2013. Under the contract, Greater Gabbard may decide to extend the charter of the vessel by an additional three months.

Citing crew transfer services as an integral part of its offering, offshore wind industry service provider CWind announced it is now a member of the National Workboat Association (NWA) of the U.K. As the offshore wind industry matures and demands on workboat performance increase with larger and further offshore wind farms, a collective and informed industry body of vessel owners and operators will facilitate the knowledge sharing and formulation of best practice that will be required, CWind noted.

CWind, a provider of integrated services to the wind industry, announced it has won a three-year contract to supply crew transfer services during the operations and maintenance (O&M) phase at Gunfleet Sands offshore wind farm (OWF) off the coast of Essex. The CWind Challenger will be transferring technicians and equipment to the wind farm for the next three years. Gunfleet Sands OWF has the option to extend this contract for up to two years. CWind Challenger will be operating from Brightlingsea in Essex, which incidentally is where the vessel was built and launched in 2013.