Editorial CommEnt
North Sea specialised
vessels enter rocky
patch
Viking Troll, one of three aHtS vessels to enter lay-up in 2009
(Credit: Eidesvik offshore).
U
ntil recently the offshore is the first PSV to be laid-up in Norway exchange, and the margin on the contract
industry remained reasonably for almost 10 years. It is believed that the remains unchanged.
buoyant in comparison with the last PSV to be laid-up in the North Sea Following on from previously
commercial maritime market. However, was in 1999/2000. Managing director mentioned laid-up PSVs, Nor Supply
the market is beginning to see the affects of Sartor Offshore, Roy Wareberg, said: Offshore-owned Ocean Spirit; a 69m
of the financial crisis. One issue that “When you have a vessel like that [an old fire-fighting PSV built in 1983 has
has reared its ugly head in recent times vessel with no financial debt] you can withdrawn from the spot market and
is the laying up of anchor handling tug survive with very low day rates, but now entered lay-up. Nor Supply bought Ocean
and supply vessels (AHTS) and platform we have a situation where we don’t cover Spirit from Sartor Offshore in February
supply vessels (PSV). our cost.” Wareberg pointed out that it is 2009 for NOK87 million (around US$14.8
In fact, leading Aberdeen and not a cold lay-up. Sartor also claim that million today). Another Nor Supply
London-based shipbrokers Offshore its 1287dwt standby/rescue vessel Ocean Offshore-owned PSV to enter lay up is
Shipbrokers Ltd noted in its ‘North Sea Star, built in 1975, entered lay up in the North Fortune, also built in 1983.
Market Report’ that several specialised last few months of 2009. It is also believed that 1978-build VOS
vessels had already moved into lay-up Edda Frigg, an 84m, 3911dwt PSV Prince was in lay-up in 2009, but has since
as of November 2009. Eidesvik Offshore owned by Ostensjo Rederi and built in been seen undertaking operations.
became the first offshore shipowner 1997 was said to be the second vessel AHTS Normand Draupne, a 1985-built
to lay-up an AHTS in the North Sea on of its type to be laid-up in the North dynamically positioned vessel from
5 November 2009. Viking Troll, a 74m, Sea. Edda Frigg was built by Brattvaag Ulstein Verft, owned by Solstad Shipping,
158tbp AHTS built in 2000 was laid-up Skipsverft AS according to Det Norske also went into lay up in 2009. The last
on the west coast of Norway. Chief Veritas (DNV) Ice-class C classifica- recorded AHTS entering lay-up in 2009
operating officer of Eidesvik Offshore, tions. M/V Normand Mermaid, built by was the UDL Shipbuilding (Singapore)-
Jan Lodden, said that the lay-up was due Ulstein Verft AS in 2002 is the third PSV built Northern Corona.
to low spot market earnings at present, to be laid-up and is owned by Solstad Shipbrokers have argued that laying up
which although higher than rates on offer Shipping. It was previously on long-term a single vessel at a time will do little to aid
for PSVs are not enough to keep the vessel charter to Acergy. the already oversupplied market where it
in service. However, despite the lay-up The fourth PSV to be in lay-up is a is believed somewhere in the region of 54
situation Eidesvik is actively marketing Siem Offshore-owned North Sea vessel. vessels are currently competing for work
the AHTS for term work outside of the Siem Mollie, built in 2007 at the yard (at least in the North Sea region).
North Sea region. formerly known as Aker Yards Aukra Offshore Shipbrokers have said that
Viking Troll now joins four PSVs in (now STX Norway Offshore, Aukra), there are signs that the market rates for
lay-up due to the decreased spot rates is a 73m 3570dwt PSV currently tied supply vessels may have ‘bottomed out’
on offer in the region. As of November up off the west coast of Norway (as of and some owners are choosing to lay-up
2009 Offshore Shipbrokers noted that 10 November 2009). Unlike the three other vessels rather than incur extra losses by
vessels, comprising seven PSVs and three PSVs mentioned above, Siem Mollie is choosing to operate them.
AHTS vessels have gone into lay-up. currently on a long-term charter. Chief As for 2010 prospects, Offshore Shipbro-
The first PSV to go into lay-up in executive officer of Siem Offshore, kers predict that it will be a difficult year for
2009 was Sartor Offshore-owned Ocean Terje Sorensen, said that the move had ship operators, adding that it will take until
Mainport in September 2009. Ocean no financial impact on Siem Offshore, the second half of the year until there is
Mainport, a 2461dwt PSV built in 1976, who are listed on the Oslo stock any sign of the market recovering. OMT
Offshore Marine Technology 1st Quarter 2010 5
p5_OMT_1Q10.indd 5 27/01/2010 14:30:15
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