North Star Shipping News

North Star Renewables, a North Star Shipping subsidiary established earlier this year to target offshore wind business opportunities, said Monday it had finalized a funding package of £96 million (around $131 million) to build its new renewables vessel fleet.The Aberdeen-based company has contracts in hand worth around £270 million (~$368 million), to deliver three service operation vessels (SOVs) to be used on what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the 3.6GW Dogger…

Aberdeen-based offshore wind vessel firm North Star Renewables has named Steve Myers as SOV operations director.As part of this newly created role, Myers, who most recently worked for wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa Renewables, will oversee North Star Renewables’ service offshore vessel (SOV) fleet designed for offshore wind support. He will be based in his hometown at the firm’s Port of Tyne office. The recently created North Star Renewables, part of ERRV vessel specialist North Star Shipping…

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…

Ship repair and specialist fabrication firm Dales Marine reports a first time achievement as all of its seven docks around Scotland are full for the first time today. Dales Marine’s docks are filled with vessels ranging from offshore supply vessels to ferries, and are all owned by different firms. The work being carried out at Dales Marine’s six bases in Aberdeen, Leith (which has two docks), Grangemouth, Montrose, Greenock and Troon is a mixture of planned repair and maintenance, along with weather-related unplanned repairs.

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.

The agreement between the government and BP allows HM Coasguard to call on a BP-chartered vessel in the event of a pollution incident. An operational and commercial model has been brokered with the oil industry allowing HM Coastguard to call on a BP-chartered vessel, the Grampian Frontier, to provide support in the event of a pollution incident. The Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV) operates west of Shetland and the owner North Star Shipping is working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to ensure that the crew and equipment are able to respond. The involvement of the Frontier builds on the UK Government’s commitment last year to fund an Emergency Towing Vessel in waters around Scotland for the duration of the current Spending Review.

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…

North Star Shipping has received a prestigious international award from one of the world's leading health and safety training, advisory and audit bodies. Following rigorous assessment by an independent adjudication panel the British Safety Council has bestowed its International Safety Award on North Star Shipping for the eleventh consecutive year. For an organisation to win this  award it must demonstrate that it has in place comprehensive health and safety policies, targeted plans and a clear commitment to health and safety from the shop floor to the boardroom.

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)…

Since being taken-over in July by A&P Group, the drydock facility in Aberdeen has enjoyed a busy Summer period with a number of vessels undergoing repairs. The shipyard, which has been renamed River Dee Ship Repairers, has extensive workshops and craneage and is an ideal drydocking location for vessels trading in and around the UK East Coast and the North Sea. Vessels drydocked most recently include P&O North Sea Ferries 6,350 grt passenger/car ferry St. Sunniva, which arrived on 5th July for a two-day emergency docking and the 2,042 grt offshore supply vessel Smit Lloyd Fortune from Stirling Shipmanagement, which also arrived for a short emergency docking.

Drydock planning is always difficult, and shipyards have to show a great deal of flexibility to their customer’s requirements when it comes to meeting essential redelivery schedules. This is particularly relevant in River Dee Shiprepairers, Aberdeen, part of the A&P Group, where only one graving dock (112.80 m x 21.33 m) is in operation. The yard is currently carrying out an eight day general repair to Gulf Offshore’s OSV (Offshore Supply Vessel) Highland Warrior, work including removal and inspection of the vessel’s two tailshafts; HP washing of the hull and painting with International’s Interspeed. When the repair to the Highland Warrior is complete, another OSV is due to enter the drydock – North Star Shipping’s Grampian Highlander, work also to include tailshaft removal and repair.

MacGregor bulk handling systems are to be installed on four offshore support vessels (OSV) of various types under construction in Asia and Europe. In the last quarter of 2011 Cargotec secured contracts for MacGregor bulk handling systems for installation onboard four offshore support vessels (OSV) newbuildings belonging to two different owners; one in the UAE (two vessels) and the other in Spain (two vessels). At the end of November, Grandweld Shipyards in the United Arab Emirates ordered MacGregor bulk handling systems for two anchor-handling tug/supply (AHTS) vessels, hull Nos 389 and 390.

Three offshore, ship and tug design and technical consulting companies have joined forces to provide a new one-stop resource for oil companies, offshore operators, tug owners, ports and shipyards. Offshore Ship Designers, based in Ijmuiden, the Netherlands, bring together the skills, experience, innovation and workforce of naval architects and engineers of Dutch companies Sea of Solutions BV, WorldWise Marine BV and UK-based IMT Marine Consultants. The formation of Offshore Ship Designers follows the acquisition of the majority shareholding in IMT by Sea of Solutions and WorldWise Marine, which was completed at the end of 2006. Current projects underway at OSD include the design of a pipelay/derrick vessel with a 3…