Marine News' 2024 US Shipbuilding Report
If nothing else, building vessels in the U.S. is a complicated business.In a session on the domestic shipbuilding marketplace, at Marine Money’s late-November 2023 conference held in New Orleans, Ben Bordelon, president and CEO of Bollinger Shipyards (with more than a dozen facilities, in Mississippi and Louisiana), described his company’s architecture as a “three-legged stool approach: commercial newbuilds, government newbuilds and repair/conversion capabilities”.On the same panel…
Strategic Marine Delivers Crewboat for Truth Maritime Services
Singaporean aluminum boat builder Strategic Marine recently delivered TMS Ranod, the first of two Gen 4 Fast Crew Boats to growing Thai offshore services provider Truth Maritime Services (TMS). The pair of newbuild contracts were signed in 2023.Strategic Marine launched the 42m Gen 4 FCB design in collaboration with Southerly Designs, and the vessel comes with a highly efficient new hull form and Z-bow which improves seakeeping and requires less power for the same speed and deadweight tonnage…
Launch Ceremony Held for A-O-S' New Jones Act CTV Gripper
An official launch ceremony was held to celebrate the commissioning of a new Jones Act compliant crew transfer vessel (CTV) built for American Offshore Services (A-O-S)—the company's first.Constructed by Blount Boats in Warren, R.I., the 100-foot-long aluminum catamaran is owned and operated by A-O-S, a joint venture formed in 2020 by leading European CTV operator Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S) and U.S.-based investment firm OIC.The vessel will support Ørsted and Eversource’s portfolio of offshore wind farms in the Northeast…
American Offshore Services Takes Delivery of Its First CTV
American Offshore Services (A-O-S) has taken delivery of its first crew transfer vessel (CTV), Gripper, purpose built to support the U.S. offshore wind industry. The vessel is scheduled to be christened during an official ceremony later this month.The Jones Act compliant aluminum catamaran was built by Blount Boats in Warren, R.I., based on Northern Offshore Services' (N-O-S) 30-meter G-class design. The newbuild features Volvo Penta's IPS propulsion system and is said to be "hybrid-ready"…
N-O-S Consolidates Ops in UK
Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S), part of Northern Offshore Group (N-O-G), has integrated Mareel within the company as N-O-S Ltd, simultaneously adding its 16 crew transfer vessels (CTV) to the fleet.The move marks an important step toward optimizing synergies within the organization and pave the way for a unified market approach.The initiative is set to reinforce N-O-S’ business, providing a cohesive platform for delivering unparalleled services to their clients by capitalizing on N-O-S experience in the fast-growing renewable energy segment.“At N-O-G…
Americas Cup Innovation & a Carbon-Free Shipping Future
The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) represented by BMW Oracle Racing and the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), the Americas Cup defending champion, represented by Team Alinghi were entwined in a 2.5-year legal battle over multiple court cases, including hearings in the New York Supreme Court and the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court, prior to the 33rd edition of the race, due to take place in 2010.The parties disagreed about the location, format, and restrictions on boat design, all of which were changed by the courts prior to the race.
GEOS Lands Contracts for Two PSVs with Oil Major
Norwegian vessel owner Golden Energy Offshore Services (GEOS) has entered into contracts for two of its platform supply vessels (PSVs) – Energy Passion and Energy Paradise.The contract is with ‘Tier 1 international oil major’ whose name was not disclosed, with the operations planned to take place in the North Sea.The contract for the 2016-built Energy Passion PSV is for one-year firm, with one-year option.The Energy Paradise PSV, built in 2015, has been hired for six months firm and six months option.The gross contract value for the firm period is $14 million…
N-O-S First to Adopt Volvo Penta's New IPS Professional Platform
Volvo Penta announced Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S) will be the first to deploy its new IPS Professional Platform, lining up installs on newbuild crew transfer vessels (CTV) slated to set sail in the second half of 2024.Volvo Penta's newly launched propulsion offering, an evolution of its proven Inboard Performance System (IPS) solution, is designed with a dual power input concept that enables the utilization of different combinations of power sources from combustion engines running on renewable fuels to fully electric or hybrid solutions.
Penguin Delivers CTV Pair to Northern Offshore Services
Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S) announced it has taken delivery of two new crew transfer vessels (CTV) from Penguin Shipyard in Singapore.The R-Class sister vessels, Runner and Responder, were officially handed over in 2023 and are now ready for operation in Europe, N-O-S said.The the R-Class was created by N-O-S' in-house R&D department, featuring a "future proofed" automation system, N-O-S Green Technology solutions, efficient and effective hull shape, and a flexible engine configuration designed to only use the power that the current situation requires…
Eastern Awarded Contract to Complete MPSV Builds for Hornbeck
Panama City Fla. based Eastern Shipbuilding Group announced it has been awarded a contract to complete construction of two ultra high-spec 400 class multipurpose support vessels (MPSVs) for Hornbeck Offshore Services (HOS).The newbuilds were originally started by Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La. before Hornbeck terminated the contracts in 2018 over what it described as "performance issues". Gulf Island then sued Hornbeck, claiming the two shipyard construction contracts were wrongfully terminated.
DOF Set to Bring in $30M From Two New Projects
Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has secured two new projects – one in the North Sea and the other in Asia Pacific region – whose combined revenue is expected to bring in $30 million to the company. The first contract for DOF covers engineering, procurement, removal and disposal (EPRD) for a North Sea operator, including the project management, engineering, logistics and execution of an FPSO cessation project. According to DOF, it will disconnect, transport and pre-moor the floating unit, and retrieve and recycle the mooring system.
Aker Capital Takes Larger Stake in Solstad Offshore
Aker Capital AS has acquired 8,240,000 shares in Solstad Offshore ASA, at an average price of NOK 48.45 per share.Following the transaction, Aker Capital holds 27,089,493 shares in the company, corresponding to an ownership interest of approximately 32.9%.Aker Capital AS is 100% owned by Aker ASA and represented on the board of the company by Frank Ove Reite. Frank Ove Reite also owns 356,509 shares in the company, through Fausken Invest AS.In its Q3 market update, Solstad was positive about demand for offshore services, both from oil and gas and renewables.
DOF Charters Jones Act-compliant Vessel for Work in the Gulf of Mexico
DOF Group announced it has struck a deal to charter a Jones Act-compliant offshore support vessel (OSV) for work in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.The Norwegian-based company said it is time chartering Bordelon Marine's ultra light intervention vessel Connor Bordelon for a one-year period starting in March 2024. The deal includes an option for an additional year.Built by Bordelon Marine Shipbuilders in 2013, the 257-foot-long DP2 vessel is equipped with a SMST 60-ton active heave compensated (AHC) crane with 3,000 meters water depth capabilities.
Jifmar Acquire Acta Marine Workboat Business
Jifmar Offshore Services and Acta Marine have concluded an agreement where Jifmar will acquire all workboat activities of Acta Marine, a deal with includes all 26 workboats, the crews (200 employees), the Netherlands based organisation and all existing contracts. Acta Marine's Offshore Wind Construction Support and Walk-to-Work activities are excluded from the transaction.Acta Marine's Workboat activities will continue to operate from its Den Helder office in the Netherlands as a branch office under the Jifmar brand. This branch specializes in shallow water and near coastal marine projects.
Windcat Orders More Hydrogen-fueled CSOVs
Windcat has placed an additional order of two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) with Damen Shipyards.The order increases Windcat’s CSOV fleet to five vessels, leaving the option of acquiring a sixth vessel. This development follows the initial announcement made in November 2022 regarding the construction of a series of hydrogen-powered CSOVs, the Elevation Series.The Elevation Series CSOVs, introduced in collaboration between Windcat and Damen Shipyards, features a pioneering design that significantly enhances capabilities and flexibility compared to traditional vessels.
MMA Offshore Expands Fleet with 2016-Built Vessel "Offshore Solution"
Australian offshore vessel operator MMA Offshore has acquired the vessel “Offshore Solution” to supplement its multi-purpose support vessel fleet. The Offshore Solution is a 2016 European-built, 54-meter, DP-2 multi-purpose support vessel fitted with two deck cranes, dual moon pools, and accommodation for 42 people. According to MMA Offshore, the vessel is suitable for operations globally and can undertake a wide range of offshore services, including surveys, remote operations…
Connecting the Dots: From Remote Operations to Full Autonomy
Realizing the full value of digital solutions far exceeds the capability of technology. The technology exists today to help offshore energy and maritime operators radically improve efficiency and cut costs in equal measure. The real trick to driving efficiencies is to take advantage of the latest technologies while at the same time negotiating the necessary culture change within individual organizations, to really reap the benefits.Harvest Technology Group is a relatively young and small Australian company that has caught the attention of a number of offshore and subsea industry heavyweights…
Hornbeck Offshore Services to Complete Ultra-High-Spec MPSVs After Legal Settlement
U.S.-based offshore vessel operator Hornbeck Offshore Services confirmed Monday it had reached a final settlement agreement with the surety (the “Surety”) for two Multi-Purpose Support Vessels (MPSVs) that had been under construction at Gulf Island Shipyards.Gulf Island Shipyards (GIS) sued Hornbeck Offshore in 2018 over what it said was the wrongful termination of two shipyard construction contracts for the final two vessels in the company's fifth offshore support vessel (OSV)…
Gulf Island Settles Lawsuit with Hornbeck Offshore Over MPSV Dispute
Gulf Island Fabrication said Thursday that its subsidiary, Gulf Island Shipyards, had resolved its lawsuit with the U.S. offshore vessel operator Hornbeck Offshore Services relating to the construction of two multi-purpose supply vessels (“MPSV”).Gulf Island Shipyards (GIS) sued Hornbeck Offshore in 2018over what it said was the wrongful termination of two shipyard construction contracts for the final two vessels in the company's fifth offshore support vessel (OSV) newbuild program.Hornbeck…
Diverse Resources in Desperate Times
Offshore services vessels are designed for myriad activities in the maritime industry. But as multifunctional assets, they not only offer utilitarian capabilities that are indispensable for commercial diving, subsea construction, mining, and countless other activities, they can simultaneously serve critical crisis response functions in the aftermath of a disaster.Chaos Ready Inc., a new non-profit marine industry initiative, quantifies and coordinates these versatile resources…
Thyssenkrupp, Wilhelmsen Create 3D Printing Firm of Maritime & Offshore Sectors
Wilhelmsen and Thyssenkrupp announced on September 29 their joint venture company, Pelagus 3D, marking the entry of a new player into global maritime and offshore services market."Pelagus 3D envisions to be the largest one-stop, on-demand digital manufacturing partner for the maritime and offshore industries. It uses Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing to deliver maritime spare parts more efficiently in terms of time and cost, allowing customers to ensure their vessels’ seaworthiness and keep their operations moving on schedule…
Praxis Automation to Equip 59 RVOS Offshore Vessels with DP-2 Systems
Praxis Automation, a company specializing in ship automation, electrical propulsion, and dynamic positioning systems, will outfit 59 vessels of Saudi-based Rawabi Vallianz Offshore Services's (RVOS) with Praxis DP-2 systems.Under this RVOS fleet-wide contract, new build and existing offshore support vessels will be equipped with Praxis dynamic positioning systems, as well as customised equipment and software for digitization of the fleet in phases agreed with RVOS, one of the…
Vroon Offloads 30 Offshore Service Vessels to Britoil
Britoil Offshore Services said this week it had acquired 30 offshore service vessels and supporting offices in Singapore from Dutch shipping firm Vroon."The acquisition will see an expansion of Britoil’s operating footprint into the Mediterranean, the North Sea and Asia Pacific. The operations will also synergise in the Middle East and Africa," Britoil said.The 30 vessels and supporting offices were part of Vroon’s offshore services business. Earlier this year, Vroon announced it would sell these vessels as part of a strategic reorientation.