Offshore News

Danish offshore wind installation firm Cadeler has signed a preferred supplier agreement to secure vessel capacity with an undisclosed client, to transport and install offshore wind turbines.The installation campaign is due to commence in 2029 for an undisclosed client and project.tThe effectiveness of the agreement is contingent upon the client’s success in a future auction, Cadeler noted.In May, Cadeler placed a $400 million order to COSCO Heavy Industries for the construction of its third A-class wind farm installation vessel…

Prysmian's Monna Lisa vessel, being build by Vard, has reached Norway for final outfitting, installation of main mission equipment and trials, before becoming fully operational in 2025.The 171-meter-long cable laying vessel (CLV) arrived to Norway after travelling 4,000 nautical miles around Europe for 28 days, following its launch at Vard’s shipyard in Tulcea Romania.The vessel was towed down the Danube River, across the Mediterranean Sea, and up the coast of Portugal and Spain…

Esgian provides an update on rig activity and discoveries in its Week 28 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryDrilling Activity and DiscoveriesThe Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has given Equinor consent for exploration drilling in blocks 32/4 and 32/7 in the North Sea.Operator LLOG Exploration Company is currently drilling its fifth well at the Buckskin field in the US GOM.Equinor and its partners Petoro, Vår Energi, and TotalEnergies started production from…

Singaporean rig- and shipbuilder Seatrium has tapped the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to class a pair of floating production storage and offloading units (FPSO) being built for Brazil's state-owned Petrobras, the classification society announced. Slated for delivery in 2029, the FPSOs P-84 and P-85 will be deployed in the Atapu and Sépia fields, located in the eastern part of the Santos Basin, approximately 200 kilometers offshore of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Each have a production capacity of 225…

Damen’s new cutter suction dredger, the first of Damen CSD600 series, has started operations in Indonesia.The dredger was transported from Rotterdam, the Netherlands to Indonesia as deck cargo on a heavy lift carrier.The stationary dredger, which has been named Jhoni 58, is working on a maintenance dredging project.The dredging operation is located at the Port of Batulicin on the island of Kalimantan. The main activities of the port relate to its important coal terminal.The busy access channel is used by numerous coal barge transports.

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Nantong Pengrui Offshore Technology and COSCO Shipping Shipyard (Nantong) for its novel design of an offshore access gangway.The motion compensated, active and passive, gangway design offers a solution for the growing demand for efficient access for service operation vessels (SOVs) supporting wind turbines and offshore platforms.ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements.“Transferring personnel to and from offshore facilities is one of the most hazardous operations in the business.

Energy and marine consultancy ABL has been appointed by Eni to provide marine warranty survey services (MWS) for the offshore transportation and installation (T&I) campaign for Phase 2 of the Marine XII Congo LNG development project.Phase 2 of the project envisages the fabrication, transportation and installation of a new floating LNG vessel (FLNG), a converted floating separation, storage and booster unit (FSU), wellhead platforms and associated tie-in pipelines and ancillaries…

The United States will fall far short of the Biden administration's 2030 offshore wind goal but will catch up quickly in the following years, according to an analysis by an industry group published on Tuesday.The American Clean Power Association (ACP) projected there will be about 14 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity along U.S. coastlines by 2030. That compares with a goal of 30 GW that President Joe Biden's administration laid out in 2021 as it sought to jumpstart the…

Huisman has signed two contracts for the supply of cranes and installation tools for Cadeler’s A-Class newbuild offshore wind farm installation vessels.The first contract is for the design and construction of a Leg Encircling Crane (LEC) and a Pedestal Mounted Crane for Cadeler’s latest A-Class new build vessel.The other is for an Upending Frame and Monopile Storage System to be installed on the Wind Ally, another A-Class jack-up vessel in Cadeler’s fleet.COSCO has awarded Huisman the contract for a 3…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has secured a contract to build the sixth commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for offshore personnel transfer provider Windcat.The contract marks the further strengthening of the working relationship between Damen, Windcat and CMB.TECH, working on the 'Elevation Series' of CSOVs.Windcat will deploy the ‘Elevation Series’ to provide in-field technical and maintenance support to offshore wind farms for up to 30 days at a time.Damen will build the sixth CSOV at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam…

Vard has launched the cable laying vessel (CLV) being built for Danish offshore services firm NCT Offshore, ahead of delivery planned later in 2024.The newbuild CLV, named Freja, has been launched at Vard Shipyards in Tulcea, Romania.The vessel features VARD 9 01 design, and is especially equipped for subsea cable laying operations and developed in close collaboration with NCT Offshore.According to Vard, the vessel has high focus on sea-keeping capabilities, excellent station keeping performances and low fuel consumption.The cable layer…

Avangrid, the U.S.

U.S. offshore wind aspirations, both federal and state, have resulted in excitement about the potential opportunity of a large U.S. offshore wind market. But uncertainty, initially financially driven and increasingly a result of political uncertainty, is leading us into a challenging period, which will undoubtedly impact short-term activity, according to the latest market report from Intelatus Global Partners. A darkening cloud for the U.S. wind industry is the forthcoming presidential elections…

Global solar deployment to add 3.8 TWac of new project capacity by 2033 compared to 1.6 TW of wind power, while 640% growth is forecast for energy storageFrom 2024 to 2033, developers will bring more than 5.4 terawatts (TWac) of new solar and wind capacity online, increasing the cumulative global total to 8 TWac, as the world endeavours to electrify economies and meet decarbonisation targets, according to latest analysis by Wood Mackenzie.Energy storage capacity (excluding pumped hydro) will grow by more than 600%, with nearly 1 TW of new capacity expected to come online in the same period.

The Middle East Gulf offshore market continues to exhibit strong growth in contract awards, even as it adjusts to the decision by Saudi NOC Aramco to suspend contracts for over 20 jack-up rigs.The Gulf region continues to contribute strongly to contract volumes in 2024. MSI tracked circa $50bn of contract awards during the first half of 2024, a rate which if continued will see 2024 capex spend outstrip levels seen in 2022 and 2023. The Middle East Gulf and South and Central America dominated awards accounting for about 55% and 30% of awards…

Esgian provides an update on the current lull in contracting in its Week 27 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsAban Offshore-owned 250-ft jackup Aban II has received a letter of award (LOA) from Oil India for an offshore work program in Andhra Pradesh, India.Shelf Drilling North Sea has secured a new 17-month contract for the 400-ft Shelf Drilling Winner (previously known as Noble Sam Turner) jackup rig with TotalEnergies EP Denmark.Drilling Activity and DiscoveriesThe…

Golar LNG has entered into definitive agreements with Pan American Energy (PAE) for a 20-year deployment of a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel in Argentina.The FLNG project will monetize Argentine gas, tapping into the vast resources from the Vaca Muerta shale formation in the Neuquina Basin, the world's second-largest shale gas resources. The project is expected to start LNG exports within 2027, establishing Argentina as an LNG exporter.The agreement includes a gas sales agreement from PAE for the supply of gas…

With its two latest vessel deliveries, WINDEA CTV has completed its inaugural fleet of Jones Act qualified crew transfer vessels (CTV) to service the growing U.S. offshore wind industry.The four brand-new Incat Crowther-designed hybrid-ready CTVs—including the previously delivered WINDEA Courageous and Intrepid, as well as the recently completed and delivered WINDEA Ranger and Enterprise—were constructed by St. Johns Ship Building in Palatka, Fla.; Gulf Craft in Franklin, La.; and Breaux Brothers Enterprises in New Iberia, La.

Danish subsea cable and services firm NKT has boosted the offshore installation capabilities of its cable laying vessel (CLV) NKT Victoria by conducting several technical upgrades.According to NKT, the vessel now features increased cable load capacity, improved station keeping and added installation capabilities.Key upgrades on NKT Victoria include increased load capacity from 9,000 tons to 11,000 tons, added Azimuth retractable thruster in the middle of the hull for improved positioning…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a contract with Maritime Craft Services (MCS) to supply one of its Shoalbuster 2711 multi-purpose workboats.MCS owns what will be an eighteen-strong fleet of workboats once its latest addition is delivered, and operates worldwide with an emphasis on western Europe and the Middle East.The new vessel, to be named Heather 2, will be the company’s third Shoalbuster, scheduled for delivery in summer 2024, and will join eleven fast crew suppliers and…

Commodities trader Vitol has secured three LNG bunkering vessels to support its worldwide operations.The agreements were made through Vitol’s shipping company, Vitol International Shipping.The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in Nantong, China.The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000m3 LNGBV, and will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in fourth quarter of 2026…

Lloyd’s Register has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with H2Terminals Limited and its supply chain partners, HiDROGEN and D3IM, to assess the feasibility of a green hydrogen (H2) infrastructure project in the UK.Parties will collaborate in the fields of floating production and transport of H2 and identify regulatory requirements, including safety cases and risk assessments, for the development of an offshore island and supply chain that will provide green power to businesses on the Thames Estuary and River.The project…

The US Department of the Interior has approved the Atlantic Shores South offshore wind energy project – the nation’s ninth commercial-scale, offshore wind energy project approved under President Biden’s leadership.The Atlantic Shores South wind project consists of two wind energy facilities — Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Project 1 and 2 — and associated export cables, which are expected to generate up to 2,800 megawatts of electricity, enough to power close to one million homes with clean renewable energy.The project is approximately 8.7 miles offshore New Jersey at its closest point.

Denmark-based A.P. Moller - Maersk has launched a dedicated division to provide installation services to the growing offshore wind industry.Maersk Offshore Wind has been formed as a spin off from Maersk Supply Service (MSS), which was acquired by Norwegian offshore supply vessel company DOF Group in a $1.11 billion in a cash and stock deal.The newly formed company is owned by A.P. Moller Holding and currently has approximately 40 employees. It will market the Wind Installation Vessel (Maersk WIV) concept, developed by MSS.

The Netherlands-based subsea services company N-Sea announced it has finalized a deal to acquire Geo Plus based in Groningen, The Netherlands.Geo Plus operates a fleet of five specialized survey vessels—Geo Ranger, Geo Focus, Geo Explorer, Geo Motion, and Geo Connection—which are currently operating on long-term projects in Europe and the Middle East. The vessels are well equipped for all types of geophysical surveys and inspection activities.By acquiring Geo Plus, N-Sea increases its capacity and capabilities in the field of shallow water hydrographic surveys…

Norwegian offshore supply vessel company DOF Group on Tuesday announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Denmark-headquartered Maersk Supply Service (MSS) for $1.11 billion in a cash and stock deal.The combined company, operating under the DOF Group name and brand, will be a leading offshore service provider with comprehensive scale and a wide range of services across all continents in the offshore energy industries.The deal will see DOF's fleet grow to 78 modern offshore/subsea vessels…

Oceaneering International announced its Offshore Projects Group (OPG) segment has been awarded multiple contractual agreements for vessel services with global energy companies, covering operations in the Gulf of Mexico.The scope of work under the first contract includes a mix of basic and heavy inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) services, including vessel-based inspections, maintenance of smaller equipment, and replacement of jumpers. The contract also encompasses intervention services and installation work, which are currently scheduled for the second half of 2024.

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a design concept of the hydrogen-fueled engine compatible oil tanker with electric propulsion system.The 5,000KL oil tanker design has been developed by Uyeno Transtech, Yanmar Power Technology, and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding.This is the world’s first AiP certification for the design of an oil tanker using liquefied hydrogen as a fuel.The ship was designed as part of the ‘Development of Large-scale Hydrogen-fueled Domestic Tanker…

Hanwha Ocean announced it has hired Bram Van Cann as its new head of engineering for its offshore business.Bram brings to the role extensive expertise in the offshore and renewable energy sectors, with more than two decades of experience at SBM Offshore, ENGIE and Ocean Winds.

Equinor has declared options to extend the contract with Eidesvik Offshore, a Norwegian offshore vessel owner, for its supply platform supply vessel (PSV) Viking Energy.The contract extension runs from April 2025, extending the firm period to April 2030. The contract also includes options for further extensions.“Viking Energy has been in continuous operation for Equinor since its launch in 2003. This contract extension highlights the operational excellence consistently delivered…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen and towage company Muller Dordrecht have held christening ceremony took place in the Netherlands, marking the delivery of a new Damen ASD Tug 3212.Named En Avant 26, the vessel was the third to be delivered by Damen to Muller Dordrecht in the past three years, the others being another Damen ASD Tug 3212 En Avant 25 and a Z-drive Pushboat built by Concordia Damen.The En Avant 26 was built at Damen’s specialist tug yard Damen Song Cam Shipyard in Haiphong…

Belgium-based offshore installation contractor Jan De Nul has signed preferred supplier agreement with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) for the installation of subsea high-voltage export cable for Fengmiao I offshore wind farm in Taiwan.The subsea cables, about 90 km long, will bring the wind energy generated at the 500 MW Fengmiao I wind farm ashore to Taichung City.Fengmiao I will provide power for about half a million households, and is part of the larger Fengmiao wind project.The wind farm is located approximately 35 km off the coast of Taichung and has a total capacity of 1…

Commodities trader Trafigura has completed its first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of ammonia in international waters close to the port of Ceuta in the Strait of Gibraltar.Approximately 6,000 metric tonnes of ammonia (NH3), supplied by CF Industries from their Donaldsonville, Louisiana-based manufacturing complex, was safely transferred between the Green Power Medium Gas Carrier (MGC), owned by ship owner/operator Purus on time charter to Trafigura, and small gas carrier the Gas…

Esgian provides an update on drilling activity in its Week 26 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsVentura Offshore has been granted exclusive marketing rights from Hanwha Drilling LLC for the newbuild 12,000-ft 7th generation drillship, Tidal Action, for an ongoing tender process in Brazil.Transocean has announced a 365-day contract extension for the 12,000-ft drillship Deepwater Asgard with an independent operator in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.Northern Ocean Ltd.-owned 7…

U.S.

Examining similarities and differences between the deepwater oil & gas and the emerging floating wind segment.There has been much excitement around the potential for the offshore wind industry to access deeper water sites through the deployment of floating wind technology.Further, there has been much discussion around the development and deployment of disruptive technologies to leverage the opportunity of floating wind. However, in the short- to medium-term, there is insufficient…

American Offshore Services (A-O-S) announced the launch of its second crew transfer vessel (CTV), Generater, designed to support the United States' growing offshore wind industry.Generater is a 99-foot, Jones-Act-qualified catamaran built to serve wind farms off the U.S. East Coast.Like sister vessel Gripper, the newbuild is of Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S)’ 30-meter G-Class design with focus on comfort for crew and technicians, making it possible to stay offshore for 24-hour operations…

Dutch offshore vessel owner Acta Marine has announced the expansion into French maritime and offshore energy market with the newbuild construction service operations vessel (CSOV) named Acta Pegasus.The fourth vessel in Acta Marine’s fleet, currently under construction in Turkey, will fly the French flag, showcasing the company’s commitment to the French maritime industry and the intention to further strengthen its foothold in France.The CSOV, named Acta Pegasus, is of Ulstein SX216 design, and features an optimized hull and ability to use (e- )methanol as main fuel According to Acta Marine, t

The market for offshore support vessels has experienced tremendous development in the last couple of years. And while we expect the market to continue its positive journey, we would argue that, at least on an overall basis, the market has already recovered to healthy levels at the time of writing.There are solid underlying fundamentals that are driving the increased vessel demand, chief among them is the increased offshore upstream investment on a global level. Overall, spending on exploration and production is set to increase roughly 45% from 2021 to 2025…

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has signed a five-year contract for its subsea construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Ocean with Prysmian Powerlink.With the contract, the vessel will be on a firm contract with Prysmian until 2032, with an additional two-year option.Prysmian has contracted the CSV Normand Ocean to support the installation of power cable systems on the company's global projects.The firm contract will start during the first or second quarter of 2027 and run until 2032.

Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with an undisclosed energy company for its Skandi Seven field support vessel (FSV).The LOI entails a two-year firm and one-year optional contract. The contract is defined as very large, excluding optional period and additional services, though additional details were not revealed.Under the contract, DOF plans to mobilize Skandi Seven. Startup is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024, in direct continuation from ongoing contract.In addition to vessel services…

The European Union will add 27 vessels, including oil and liquefied natural gas tankers, to its list of entities under sanctions as part of its latest measures against Russia, two sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.EU countries adopted the 14th package of sanctions against Russia earlier on Monday. These included a ban on trans-shipments of Russian LNG off EU ports that will take effect after 9-month transition period. The full details will be published later in the EU's Official Journal.The latest list…

Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has secured two long-term contracts with Petrobras for its Pipelay Support Vessel (PLSV) and the Anchor Handling Support vessel (AHTS).The Brazilian built and flagged PLSV Skandi Niterói is awarded a three-year firm plus option contract, starting in 2025. The vessel is owned by DOFCON Navegação, a joint venture between DOF Subsea (50%) and TechnipFMC (50%).Built in 2011, the vessel is of STX OSCV 06 design. It is 142.2 meter long, with the breadth of 27 meter…

Danish firm Cadeler has signed a contract with Inch Cape Offshore for the installation of 27 offshore wind turbines, each rated at 15 MW, at the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm in the North Sea.The work will be done with one of the newbuild M-class wind turbine installation vessels, Cadeler said.The contract value is projected to fall within the range of $121 million - $139 million (€114 million - 130 million), with installation due to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.Located 15 kilometers off the East Coast of Scotland in the North Sea…

Esgian provides an update on exploration drilling in its Week 25 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryDrilling Activity and DiscoveriesOslo-listed BlueNord announced on Monday the start-up of drilling operations on the Harald East Middle Jurassic well (HEMJ) in the Danish North Sea.Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) encountered non-commercial hydrocarbons at the Orange #1 exploration well on Mississippi Canyon Block 216 in the US GOM and the well has been plugged and abandoned.

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on Friday announced its approval of Ørsted’s construction and operations plan (COP) for the Sunrise Wind project, marking the final approval needed from the federal agency to move the project toward the start of offshore construction.New York’s largest offshore wind project, the 924 MW Sunrise Wind project will to be located south of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and east of Block Island, R.I.The COP approval outlines the project’s one nautical mile wind turbine spacing…

Boskalis’ cable-laying barge Giant 7 has started the installation of the second and final nearshore export cable for the 700 MW offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust (west Beta), being built offshore the Netherlands.The works on the second cable follow the successful installation of the first, also performed by Boskalis’ Giant 7 barge.Giant 7, with the help of the specialist burial sledge tool BSSIII, will repeat the same operation to bring and connect the second cable to the shore.The two 220kV AC export cables are needed to connect the offshore wind farm to the onshore power grid…

Equinor has been awarded the operatorship for the development of two new CO2 storages in the North Sea along with a 100% share for the two licenses, Albondigas and Kinno.The new licenses are each expected to have the capacity to store around 5 million tons of CO2 per year when in operation. This estimate will be further determined in the exploration phase.Equinor expects 4-8% real base project returns for its early phase CO2 storage business, and further value uplift potential…

MPC Container Ships (MPCC) has acquired two 3,500 TEU vessels and secured a charter agreement package for a total of 10 vessels, including the new acquisitions.The acquisition consists of two 3,500 TEU vessels at a total price of $47.25 million. The vessels are expected to be handed over from their current owner in the third quarter of 2024 and will be delivered into pre-agreed firm 36-month time charter contracts with a top-tier liner company.These vessels are anticipated to generate aggregate revenues of approximately $55 million over the charter period…

The head of Brazil's environmental agency said on Wednesday that he expects a decision soon on state-owned oil company Petrobras' request to conduct exploratory studies in a region known as the Equatorial Margin, as both the company and the government push for a drilling license.Petrobras has been seeking to explore the northernmost part of the Equatorial Margin, near the mouth of the Amazon River, but got a red light from environment watchdog Ibama in May of last year due to concerns over the possible impact on Indigenous communities and the environment.

Singapore-based mooring and anchoring specialist Mooreast Holdings has set out plans to acquire a 98,919 sqm facility from Seatrium’s subsidiary, quadrupling its production capacity in Singapore to serve the floating offshore renewable sector.The SGX Catalist-listed specialist in total mooring solutions catering to the renewable sector has been granted an option to purchase 60 Shipyard Crescent by Seatrium New Energy, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seatrium, a leading provider of engineering solutions to the global offshore…

Corvus Energy has received type approval from DNV for its Blue Whale marine energy storage system (ESS).The DNV type-approval confirms that the large-scale ESS complies with the most stringent rules, regulations, and safety requirements in the industry, as defined by one of the leading maritime class societies.The Blue Whale ESS is designed specifically for large vessels, like cruise ships, Ro-Pax and service operation vessels (SOV), and vessels that require a large amount of energy.The Blue Whale design incorporates the safety features from the Corvus Orca ESS…

Ivory Coast expects a more than threefold increase to its oil output by 2027, boosted by recent oil and gas discoveries at the West African nation's Baleine and Calao offshore fields, President Alassane Ouattara said on Tuesday.The world's top cocoa-producing nation is hoping to become a major regional oil and gas producer and regional energy hub.Ouattara told a joint session of parliament that more than $15 billion is expected to be invested in the country's oil sector, adding that output would grow to about 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 60,000 bpd by 2027."It will be a spectacular leap,

Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras has signed an agreement with the Rio de Janeiro state government to study a potential offshore wind power pilot project, the firm said on Tuesday in a securities filing.(Reuters - Reporting by Luana Maria Benedito; Editing by Kylie Madry)

The Philippines filed a claim with the U.N. on Saturday to an extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea, a waterway where it has had increasingly confrontational maritime disputes with China."Today we secure our future by making a manifestation of our exclusive right to explore and exploit natural resources in our ECS entitlement," Marshall Louis Alferez, foreign ministry assistant secretary for maritime and ocean affairs, said in a statement.China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The authorities in Singapore have started the next phase of an oil spill clean-up operation, caused by the allision of a dredger and a bunker vessel, with the additional deployment of various booms and oil recovery systems.The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that 1500 meters of booms have been deployed, and an additional 1600 meters will be deployed over the next few days in designated sites to support the containment of accumulated oil to facilitate the clean…

Shell has reached an agreement with Carne Investments, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek, to acquire 100% of the shares in Pavilion Energy, a Singapore-based global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trading business.Pavilion Energy is an LNG business with a contracted supply volume comprising about 6.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa).Headquartered in Singapore, Pavilion Energy’s global energy business encompasses LNG trading, shipping, natural gas supply and marketing activities in Asia and Europe.“The acquisition of Pavilion Energy will strengthen Shell’s leadership position in LNG…

The authorities in Singapore have launched an oil spill clean-up operation after the Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima struck a stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour, causing a rupture of one its oil cargo tanks which released the low-sulphur fuel oil to the sea.Dredger Vox Maxima had reported a sudden loss in engine and steering control before its allision with bunker vessel Marine Honour on June 14, 2024.Investigations by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) are ongoing…

Esgian provides an update on Noble and Diamond Offshore’s announcement of merger plans in its Week 24 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsADES has completed the signing of a drilling contract for a jackup with Suez Oil Company (SUCO) in Egypt.Mergers & AcquisitionsNoble Corporation and Diamond Offshore Drilling have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Noble will acquire Diamond in a stock plus cash transaction. As part of the transaction, Diamond shareholders will receive 0.2316 shares of Noble…

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has secured contract extensions with Subsea7 for two of its subsea construction support vessels (CSVs) – Normand Subsea and Normand Energy.Subsea7 has exercised the 2025 optional charter period for the Normand Subsea.The contract is now firm until December 31, 2025, with no further options thereafter.Normand Subsea has been on contract to Subsea 7 since 2009. It is a 113-meter-long vessel, built in 2009, featuring VS 471 design.

Damen Shipyards Group has developed a new concept for offshore charging for fully electric crew transfer vessels (CTVs) operating at offshore wind farms.The system envisages a fully electric CTV which can charge either at offshore wind turbine or one of Damen’s commissioning service operations vessels (CSOVs) outfitted with a charger.The charging system that Damen has applied to its concept is developed by UK-based MJR, a specialist in offshore charging systems.The CTV would connect…

The last of the three coast guard vessels, strengthening the control and surveillance in the northern area of Norway, has been named KV Hopen by Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen at Vard Langsten in Norway.With the naming ceremony of the third vessel in the Jan Mayen class, one of Norway's largest maritime acquisitions ever is about to be completed.Norway's new coast guard vessel KV Hopen is said to be very important for guarding Norway's interests in…

The United States' Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) said it has conducted an inspection at the South Fork Wind project, marking the agency’s first inspection of an operational offshore wind turbine in U.S. waters. Located offshore New York and Rhode Island, 130 megawatt South Fork Wind is the nation’s first commercial wind farm on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).“This first wind turbine inspection is critical for industry, BSEE, and the nation as domestic offshore wind transitions from installation and commissioning activities to daily clean power production…

Norwegian offshore support vessel owner Havila Shipping has secured contracts with Equinor for three of its platform supply vessels (PSVs).Contracts with Equinor are the PSV vessels Havila Clipper, Havila Fanø and Havila Herøy.Each contract is for a firm period of twelve months, with six optional periods, each of one month.The start of the contracts will be within end of July 2024, according to Havila, which did not disclose the value of the deals.Constructed by Havyard in 2011…

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday threw his weight behind a push by state-run oil company Petrobras to explore the environmentally sensitive offshore Equatorial Margin, saying Brazil cannot give up such an opportunity.The offshore region along the northern coast is seen as Brazil's most promising frontier for oil exploration as it shares geology with nearby Guyana, where Exxon Mobil is developing huge fields."When we start exploring the so-called Equatorial Margin…

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has secured multiple contracts with Petrobras, whose combined value is approximately $240 million (NOK 2.6 billion).The contracts are scheduled to start in the second half of 2024 and first half of 2025.Petrobras has contracted the construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Poseidon and two anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels Normand Sagaris and Normand Ferking, all owned by Solstad Maritime, in which Solstad Offshore holds…

Berg Propulsion has won a contract to deliver the hybrid propulsion solution for three wind-assisted Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) Ro-Ro vessels.Following delivery by China’s Wuchang Shipbuilding from 2026 onwards, the innovative vessels will carry Airbus A320 Family jetliner subassemblies from France to the final assembly line in the United States.The ships have been designed by Deltamarin with the aim of halving fuel burn and CO2 emissions in transatlantic operations by 2030…

Opsealog, a provider of data integration and analysis services for the maritime and offshore industry, has confirmed the renewal and expansion of its service contract with Orange Marine, a French company specializing in cable laying and repair operations.This extension signifies a deepening of the collaboration between the two companies, which began in May 2023, and highlights their commitment to advancing fleet digitalization and operational efficiency across Orange Marine’s fleet.The partnership commenced with a three-month trial on one of Orange Marine's cable laying vessels (CLV)…

Maritime and offshore industries service provider Avantis Group has entered strategic cooperation with shipping sector services firm T.J. Giavridis Marine Services to enhance support for Greek shipowners worldwide.The partnership aims to provide enhanced support and services to Greek shipowners, strengthening their capabilities in repair, retrofits, and upgrades worldwide.With Avantis' international footprint and T.J. Giavridis' understanding of the Greek shipowner market, the collaboration will offer Greek shipowners access to advanced solutions and expertise including green technologies…

Woodside has achieved first oil from the Sangomar field offshore Senegal, marking the safe delivery of the country’s first offshore oil project.The Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 is a deepwater project including a stand-alone FPSO facility with a nameplate capacity of 100,000 barrels/day, and subsea infrastructure that is designed to allow subsequent development phases.The Sangomar Field Development Phase 1 features the Léopold Sédar Senghor FPSO, named after the first president of Senegal, which is moored approximately 100 kilometers offshore Senegal.

A new construction service operations vessel (CSOVs) being built by Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein Verft for Olympic has completed sea trials.The newbuild, Olympic Boreas, launched from the dock hall at Ulstein Verft on April 6, is the first of two sister vessels for Olympic, designed to assist in offshore energy construction projects and service assignments.The vessels are based on the ULSTEIN SX222 design from Ulstein Design & Solutions AS and feature the novel TWIN X-STERN solution.

N-Sea Group and its partner Neptune Marine have launched Curo, the first dedicated the first dedicated cable repair and installation vessel.The launch took place at the Neptune Ship Yard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam.Neptune Marine Service recently converted the existing anchored barge NP-459 into a dedicated cable repair DP2 vessel with 50t offshore knuckleboom crane named Curo.The vessel will be available from mid-June 2024 for cable repair and installation projects and will be…

Noble Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Diamond Offshore, creating a fleet of 41 rigs - including 28 floaters and 13 jack-ups, and a combined backlog of approximately $6.5 billion.Noble will acquire Diamond in a stock plus cash transaction, whereby Diamond shareholders will receive 0.2316 shares of Noble, plus cash consideration of $5.65 per share for each share of Diamond stock, representing an 11.4% premium to closing stock prices on June 7, 2024.Noble intends to fund the cash portion of the transaction through new debt financing…

Esgian provides an update on semisub activities in Norway and Australia in its Week 23 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsTransocean has announced contract fixtures for three harsh environment (HE) semisubmersibles. Together, the fixtures represent approximately $161 million in firm contract backlog.Shelf Drilling has secured a 15-month award for the 357-ft jackup Shelf Drilling Tenacious for drilling operations offshore West Africa.Murphy Oil Corporation has exercised an option to extend the contract for the 12…

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced the availability of its final Environmental Assessment (EA), which considers possible impacts from issuing leases for potential offshore wind development off the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia coasts, including site assessment and site characterization activities such as geophysical, geological, and archaeological surveys.The EA concluded that there would be no significant impacts from lease issuance.Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration…

New Zealand's government said on Sunday it would introduce legislation to remove a controversial ban on offshore petroleum exploration to attract investment to the country's oil and gas sector.The bill would end the ban, in place since 2018, on exploration outside onshore Taranaki, an energy-rich region on New Zealand's North Island, Resources Minister Shane Jones said in a statement.The bill will be introduced to parliament before the end of 2024, he said."As well as removing the ban, we are proposing changes to the way petroleum exploration applications are tendered and allocated, aligning t

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has joined the LH2CRAFT project, a research initiative funded by European Union with the goal of revolutionizing liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage on a massive scale, catering to commercial vessels and emerging applications.Administered by Hydrus Engineering and Technische Universitat Dresden, the research consortium is comprised of 14 members from nine different countries.The consortium is working to design a membrane-type containment system, leveraging the latest technology…

CTS Offshore and Marine (CTS) and Varuna Marine Services (VMS) have entered strategic partnership to offer vessel owners and operators an informed pathway for carbon emission management.By combining their respective strengths, the two companies will provide a comprehensive suite of services to help the maritime industry navigate the complexities of decarbonization and comply with evolving regulations such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and FuelEU.CTS brings expertise in fleet decarbonization…

Dutch heavy lift shipping and offshore transport and installation contractor Jumbo Offshore has completed the removal of two monopiles on the Yunlin offshore wind farm in Taiwan.The Jumbo Offshore crew carried out the work by deploying its DP2 heavy lift crane vessel Fairplayer from Europe to support the onsite operations.Jumbo Offshore was awarded the contract by Yunneng Wind Power (YWPC) earlier in 2024 for the removal of monopiles at the Yunlin offshore wind farm.The contract award represented an expansion of Jumbo Offshore’s existing scope…

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued on Thursday its final environmental analysis that found "no significant impacts" from leasing Central Atlantic coastal areas for potential offshore wind development off the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia coasts.“BOEM is proud to continue to support the clean energy transition in a responsible manner in the Central Atlantic region,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein.“We will continue to work closely with Tribes, our other government partners…

North Star has secured debt investment of up to $543 million (£425 million) to fuel the next phase of its European offshore wind expansion, setting the target to add 40 hybrid service operation vessels (SOVs) to its fleet by 2040.The committed financial package of $287 million (£225 million) includes term facilities from existing lender, IFM Investors, and committed capex and working capital resources from banks including ABN AMRO (sustainability co-ordinator), AIB, NAB, Royal…

DEME's new fallpipe vessel—the world's largest—was officially named Yellowstone by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid, Princess of Belgium, during a ceremony in Zeebrugge on Tuesday.Originally a bulk carrier, the ship was converted at Pax Ocean Shipyards in Singapore for rock placement work in the offshore energy industry. The DP2 vessel has a payload capacity of 37,000 tonnes and features a central vertical fallpipe that is capable of operating in water depths of 600-700 meters…

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said on Tuesday it had finalized contracts for Equinor's Empire Wind 1 and Orsted's and Eversource's Sunrise Wind offshore wind projects.NYSERDA in February awarded conditional contracts to buy electricity from two proposed offshore wind projects under a program meant to support the embattled industry and keep the state's ambitious clean energy goals on track.The state at the time selected the Empire Wind 1 project from Norway's Equinor and the Sunrise Wind facility being developed by Denmark's Orsted and U.S.

FreeStar Subsea Services, a Netherlands-based company established by the merger of Vriezoo ROV Services and Mark Offshore, has acquired its first vessel and started operations.The company offers remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and survey support services with its own vessel, the SSV Navicula Star, which was recently acquired the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ).While most mid-sized subsea companies specialize in either vessel or ROV services, FreeStar’s owners…

Singaporean shipbuilder Strategic Marine has delivered two offshore wind Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) to UK-based Mainprize Offshore.The two 27-meter vessels are part of the UK-based CTV owner and operator’s ongoing fleet expansion and will add to its current fleet of 11 vessels.Scheduled for operations in European waters from July 2024 onwards, both vessels will be carrying out crew transfers in Europe.The vessels feature Supa-SWATH hull design for enhanced seakeeping with reduced…

Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has secured a ‘major contract’ from Petrobras for its pipelay support vessel (PLSV) Skandi Vitória.DOF secured a three-year firm contract, plus option, for its PLSV Skandi Vitória as part of an ongoing tender process.The contract starts in 2025, according to DOF.The vessel is Brazilian-built and flagged and owned by DOFCON Navegação, a joint venture between DOF Subsea (50%) and TechnipFMC (50%).kandi Vitória is an ROV construction support vessel…

A South African appeals court on Monday suspended a previous ruling that halted offshore exploration by Shell along the unspoilt Wild Coast and allowed oil companies another chance at public consultation, court documents showed.The lack of public consultation was among key reasons why a lower court ruled against Shell and other oil companies Impact Africa and BG International.In a keenly watched decision, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) provided a lifeline to oil companies exploring along South Africa's coast…

OPEC+ agreed on Sunday to extend most of its deep oil output cuts well into 2025 as the group seeks to shore up the market amid tepid demand growth, high interest rates and rising rival U.S. production.Brent crude oil prices LCOc1 have been trading near $80 per barrel in recent days, below what many OPEC+ members need to balance their budgets. Worries over slow demand growth in top oil importer China have weighed on prices alongside rising oil stocks in developed economies.The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia…

South Korea's first domestically built geophysical exploration research vessel was commissioned during a ceremony at Pohang Yeongilman Port on May 31.The 92-meter Tamhae 3 is a fully state-funded research vessel owned by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM). The KRW 181 billion (US$132 million) newbuild replaces its 1996-built predecessor, Tamhae 2, for geophysical explorations in domestic and foreign waters, starting with Korea’s continental shelves…

The two classification societies American Bureau Of Shipping (ABS) and Lloyd’s Register (LR) have issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a new ship design of an ammonia-fueled 3500 TEU container vessel.A cross-industry taskforce including A. P. Moller-Maersk, MAN Energy Solutions, Deltamarin, Eltronic FuelTech, ABS and LR led by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping is behind the new design.The vessels is 212 meters long, with a breadth of 35 meters. Its ammonia tank capacity is 4300 m3.When awarding an AiP…

Norwegian subsea services firm Reach Subsea has entered the agreement with vessel owner Havila Shipping to extend the charter for inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) vessel Havila Subsea.The contract extension is for a firm period of three years, until the end of 2027, with tow one year options.“In a rising market, maintaining strong operational control over core assets is crucial. We are witnessing ongoing positive market trends, with our order book and tender volume consistently increasing year by year…

Esgian provides an update on rig sales and the shrinking pool of vintage semisubs in its Week 22 Rig Analytics Market Roundup.Report SummaryContractsNoble Corporation has secured a new well intervention contract with Harbour Energy in UK waters of the North Sea for the 350-ft jackup Noble Resilient.Drilling Activity and DiscoveriesThe recently drilled offshore production well at the Kupe oil and gas field in New Zealand is underperforming despite a recent wireline well intervention.BW…

Italian offshore energy services firm Saipem has signed a long-term charter contract with Chinese state-owned port and naval machinery manufacturer ZPMC for the JSD6000, a latest generation ship for offshore heavy lifting, construction and pipelaying.The signed contract provides for the bareboat charter of the ship for a five-year duration, plus two extension options of one year each.The vessel will be delivered to Saipem in June 2024 and will become part of the company’s fleet.Equipped with a DP3 dynamic positioning system and a heavy-lift capacity of up to 5…

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) has selected Swedish safety technology company LifeFinder for the supply of personal locator system that will be installed on its MV Patriot vessel.ARC recently completed the initial stage of a two-stage pilot program with LifeFinder, testing its personal locator technology.Based on the promising results from the first stage, ARC has committed to the second stage of the pilot which includes the full installation and operation of LifeFinder’s…

Gall Thomson has revealed there were 16 known activations of its Marine Breakaway Couplings during 2023. The activations occurred in nine different countries around the world.On each occasion, the Marine Breakaway Coupling (MBC) operated exactly as expected. Oil spills, injuries and damage to assets such as vessels, hoses or facilities was avoided. There were no known spurious activations reported.Gall Thomson MBCs are designed to activate in an emergency during offshore hose…

PetroChina International 0857.HK said it has loaded 100,000 barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates' offshore block Belbazem where parent company CNPC has a joint venture with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).This is the first equity output PetroChina lifted from the second-phase development of the field that began production in March and the cargo, loaded on May 26 on vessel Captain X.

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed two Lifecycle Agreements covering two ferries owned by Japanese operator Shin Nihonkai Ferry (SNF).The agreements are designed to provide optimal operational support in ensuring reliable and efficient performance for the ferries, each powered by four Wärtsilä 31 engines, which serve the Yokosuka and Shinmoji route.The two five-year agreements cover the ‘Hamayu’ and ‘Soleil’ ferries and provide remote 24/7 support in case of need.The scope of…

Dutch company Huisman has secured its first contract from Coastal International Marine, part of Malaysia-based oil and gas services company Coastal Contracts, for the supply of deepwater Knuckle Boom Crane.The Knuckle Boom Crane has a lifting capacity of 100 mt and features a deepwater winch and active heave compensation.Huisman recently introduced its optimised KBC series, designed specifically for the offshore subsea construction market.The optimised models align with the latest trends in offshore construction vessels…

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released its Final Environmental Assessment (Final EA) of an offshore wind research lease in the Gulf of Maine. In October 2021, the state of Maine requested a research lease for the purpose of researching floating offshore wind energy technology and its deployment. The research site lies 28 nautical miles off the coast of Maine, roughly southeast of Portland, and if developed would comprise up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines capable of generating up to 144 megawatts of renewable energy.

New Jersey officials said the state will receive $125 million from a legal settlement with Denmark's Orsted ORSTED.CO over the company's cancellation last year of two offshore wind farm projects.The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said in a statement that the funds will be used for investments in wind component manufacturing facilities and wind farms.The settlement comes nearly seven months after Orsted said it would stop developing the Ocean Wind 1 and 2 projects off the coast of New Jersey as it struggled with soaring costs and supply chain delays.The cancellations triggered an angry re

Dutch offshore installation firm Van Oord has secured a contract from RWE for the transport and installation of monopile foundations for the Nordseecluster offshore wind project in Germany.This project will be the first project for the Van Oord’s brand-new offshore installation vessel Boreas, which is currently under construction.Van Oord’s scope includes the installation of 104 extended monopiles as well as the installation of the scour protection. In 2025, 44 monopiles are planned…

Maritime data analytics company Metis has unveiled a revised version of its analytics platform, aimed to help clients better manage their ship and fleet performance.Fresh developments cover additional fleet- and vessel-level summary dashboards, as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide improved overviews in specific domains of focus, including ship emissions, vessel performance, optimized operations and machinery condition.Useful for benchmarking within the fleet and between sister ships…

Petrobras' new chief executive said a basin in Brazil's Equatorial Margin, an environmentally sensitive offshore prospect seen as the country's most promising frontier for oil exploration, was a matter of "national interest."Magda Chambriard, who took over as the state-controlled oil company's chief executive after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva fired its former CEO this month, said on Monday she wanted to escalate talks about the region near Guyana to the National Council of Energy Policy (CNPE)…