How to Defend against Patent Trolls without Breaking the Bank
Patent trolls—those who seek to enforce patent rights, but do not actually manufacture or supply services based on the patents—are a problem in all industries, including the shipping industry. And as the pace of innovation in shipping continues to accelerate in areas such as environmental compliance, electronic navigation, vessel design, construction and operation, offshore construction and exploration, and cargo logistics management, claims by patent trolls are sure to rise. It is not just companies who design and sell products in the maritime sector who are at risk.
OSV Power
The continued maturation of Offshore Service Vessel design is embodied in recent contracts and deliveries. Ulstein Verft subsea newbuild Island Performer was built for Island Offshore to be a flexible, RLWI/IMR vessel, destined to serve its first five years for FTO in the Gulf of Mexico. “The vessel is customized to suit the scope of work in the FTO contract, in which RLWI (Riser-less Light Well Intervention) and IMR (Inspection/Maintenance/Repair) are the main tasks. She is able to perform operations at depths down to 3,000m,” said Håvard Ulstein, Managing Director, Island Offshore.
FTO Services Announces Completion of First Vessel
FTO Services announced today that construction of its new deepwater well intervention services vessel has been completed. The naming ceremony for the new vessel, Island Performer, was held in Ulsteinvik, Norway on June 27. During the event, about 200 guests including executives from FTO Services, Edison Chouest Offshore and FMC Technologies sailed on a five hour maiden voyage to celebrate the naming of the vessel. In the fourth quarter of 2014, FTO Services will begin a 5 year lease of Island Performer from vessel owner, Island Offshore.
Island Performer Equipped for Deep-Sea Subsea Work
The Ulstein Verft subsea newbuild, Island Performer, was delivered today to shipowner Island Offshore. The flexible, state-of-the-art RLWI/IMR vessel will serve her first five years for FTO in the Gulf of Mexico. “The vessel is customized to suit the scope of work in the FTO contract, in which RLWI (Riser-less Light Well Intervention) and IMR (Inspection/Maintenance/Repair) are the main tasks. She is able to perform operations at depths down to 3,000 meters, and the contracted work start at year’s end,” said Managing Director Håvard Ulstein, Island Offshore.
