Hibernia Supply Vessels To Be Built In Newfoundland

A letter of intent has been signed by Hibernia Management and Development Co. Ltd. with Maersk Supply Service/ Seabase to provide supply vessel services required for the Hibernia offshore oil production platform.

The company intends to build two multi-function platform support vessels at Marystown Shipyard in Marystown, Newfoundland. The contract, which exceeds $100 million over eight years, also includes an option for a third vessel. The eight year contract is for the provision of supply vessel services for the offshore platform, which will be located 196 miles (315 km) offshore Newfoundland on the Grand Banks.

The contract includes: provision of the required services of two offshore supply vessels, with an option on a third, to support the operation of the Hibernia offshore oil production platform; vessels are required to provide logistical support to the platform and must be equipped with a dynamic positioning system. In addition, the vessels must be capable of providing support to oil spill recovery operations at the offshore platform; at least two of the vessels are to be multi-functional platform support vessels (MFPSVs). These vessels will have the added responsibility of performing standby duty and will be specially equipped to assist the platform in the event of an emergency. Other MFPSV responsibilities include the provision of assistance to shuttle tankers while connecting to the subsea loading system and assistance in ice management operations. Maersk Supply Service is headquartered in Denmark and its agent, Seabase, is located in Newfoundland.