Feature 4 | Scandinavia
Where next for Scandinavia?
The ship and boat building industry in Scandinavia is looking into a rather
uncertain future as a prolonged boom comes to an end. Richard White looks
at the current trends influencing the industry.
F
or many, a little slackening of the
pressure was overdue, as yards and
equipment suppliers have been
inundated with orders and working to
full capacity. The massive order backlog
gave the more successful shipyards a good
year in 2009, despite the world financial
and economic crisis. However, the rate
of ordering of new vessels has dropped
dramatically, particularly in the offshore
service vessel market which is so important
in Norway, and yards will progressively run
out of work unless the situation changes in
the course of this year. Some have already
run into trouble.
Will the offshore vessel market bounce
back in time? There are factors which pull Maersk Terrier is the final ship in a series of ten built to the VS472 design by STX Offshore
in different directions. A negative one is Brattvaag for Maersk in Copenhagen. The AHTS has a bollard pull of over 170tonnes, a
the overhang of vessels still to be delivered length of 73.2m, DP2, Clean Design, Comfort V2 Class and is equipped for oil recovery
worldwide, and new tonnage being put into (Credit: STX Europe AS).
service in a saturated market. Another is the
cutbacks the oil companies have made in
exploration and production spending. The Offshore orders are not currently sufficient planning approvals there is a need for vessels
result has been drastically reduced dayrates. to ensure the future of shipyards, who are to prepare foundations, install subsea cables,
On the positive side, there are indications therefore attempting to enlist state support in transport turbines from shore to site and set
that finance for good projects from solid the form of programmes to replace out-of- them up, then subsequently inspect and
owners is more accessible. Many shipowners date vessels controlled directly or indirectly by maintain them. This activity is creating a
have done well in recent years, and are in a the state. Double-ended road link passenger/ requirement for many types of vessel, from
position to order vessels of high standard vehicle ferries are one category. Some self-propelled jackups to small workboats.
to meet specific needs, taking advantage of up-to-date vessels have been introduced Since thousands of offshore wind turbines
competitive prices from yards anxious to on Norwegian routes in the past few years, are planned for the Scandinavian coasts,
maintain their workload and keep their staff. as the privatisation with subsidy principle UK and North Sea, some are arguing that
Oil majors are increasing their exploration takes over and operators have to bid for this represents a support vessel opportunity
and production programmes. Many of the route franchises. These include liquefied reminiscent of the North Sea offshore oil
fields are in deep water and areas with tough natural gas (LNG)-fuelled ferries, which and gas saga.
climates, demanding support vessels of top show the way to a less polluting ferry future. Many Scandinavian yards and equipment
standard, for which Norwegian designers But there is still a fleet of aged ferries only suppliers have in the past built their
and yards have made a name. At the same marginally meeting today’s expectations reputations and businesses on fishing vessels.
time the world fleet of offshore vessels is on safety and amenity, and a need for Over the past few years orders have been few
on average more than 25 years old, and replacement if the political will is there. and far between for larger vessels, although
a significant part is due for replacement. Other opportunities are being created by those that have gone into service have been
Though the order situation is quiet, there new industries requiring marine support. of a high standard. To some extent there is a
are some contracts to be had, and the Island Offshore wind turbines are a case in point. pent-up demand, should quotas, finance and
Offshore order for six high-specification In particular, Danish companies have fish prices warrant the cost of a new boat.
offshore vessels at three yards in the built up a strong position manufacturing Builders of small inshore vessels – sjarks –
Norwegian cluster, placed at the end of 2009, multi-megawatt wind turbines, and as have often fared better. The fishing industry
point the way. more and more large offshore arrays gain is moving to some extent from hunting to
40 Ship & Boat International March/April 2010
SBI_MarApr10_p40-42.indd 40 26/02/2010 12:24:27
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