Chinese Semi-Submersible Vessel Huaruilong Sets Sail for Guinea

A major maritime transport operation is underway as the semi-submersible vessel Huaruilong, one of the world's largest heavy-lift ships, departs from Ningde Port in Fujian Province, China. The vessel is transporting 13 engineering ships to Guinea, where they will support port construction and offshore infrastructure projects.

With an impressive carrying capacity of 80,000 metric tons, Huaruilong measures 252 meters in length, 60 meters in width, and 14.8 meters in height. It is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 15 knots (approximately 27.78 km/h) and can perform salvage operations with loads of up to 100,000 metric tons.

The shipment to Guinea includes a diverse fleet of engineering vessels valued at approximately 250 million yuan ($34.3 million). The cargo consists of one supply ship, six tugboats, and six flat-top barges, all of which will play a key role in large-scale civil engineering and maritime operations in the region.

Semi-submersible vessels like Huaruilong are specifically designed to transport oversized maritime equipment and offshore structures over long distances. Unlike conventional cargo ships, these vessels can submerge their decks to allow ships and equipment to be floated on before resurfacing.

During the loading process, Huaruilong lowered its deck more than 20 meters beneath the waterline to accommodate the engineering vessels. The ships were arranged in a way that maximized deck space, resembling a carefully stacked structure. Maritime authorities 

Ningde Port has played a crucial role in exporting vessels to international markets, particularly to nations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. According to the Ningde Immigration Inspection Station, more than 30 vessels have been exported from the port this year, with over 80% of them destined for countries such as Guinea and Liberia.

The successful deployment of Huaruilong for this mission underscores China's growing role in providing maritime transport solutions for large-scale infrastructure projects worldwide.

Source: Cosco Shipping

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Posted on 3/09/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

Boka Vanguard Expands Transport Capacity Following Major Refit in China

Semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel undergoes widening project to accommodate larger floating drydocks, ships, and FPSOs

Source: Boskalis

The semi-submersible heavy-lift vessel Boka Vanguard, operated by Boskalis, has completed a major modification at a dry dock in Zhoushan, China. The refit involved expanding the vessel’s width to enhance its transport capabilities for oversized floating drydocks, ships, and FPSOs. The vessel, already recognized as the largest of its kind before the upgrade, can now accommodate even wider cargo.

Structural Modifications to Increase Capacity

Originally 70 meters wide, the Boka Vanguard has been widened by 10.3 meters, bringing its total beam to over 75 meters. The modification was carried out by Boskalis' Heavy Marine Transport division and involved shifting the port-side towers, or outriggers, further outward. This complex engineering task is comparable to relocating a three-story building.

The increased deck space has already proven essential, as the vessel has since transported a floating drydock that would have previously been too wide to carry. Later this year, the Boka Vanguard is scheduled to transport another floating drydock measuring 335 meters in length and 75 meters in width—cargo dimensions that were previously beyond the vessel’s capacity.

Retaining Length, Enhancing Transport Versatility

While the vessel’s width has been expanded, its overall length remains unchanged at 275 meters. The Boka Vanguard features an open stern and a deck without a bow structure, allowing it to transport cargo larger than itself. A notable example of this capability was in 2019 when the vessel transported the 300-meter-long cruise ship Carnival Vista.

Posted on 3/08/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

CNOOC Makes Major Oil and Gas Discovery

 CNOOC Ltd, a major player in China’s offshore energy sector, has recently marked an important breakthrough in exploring Paleozoic-era buried hills in the Beibu Gulf basin of the South China Sea. In its Weizhou 10-5 prospect—situated in relatively shallow waters at 37 metres deep—the company encountered promising geological indicators.

During drilling at the WZ10-5-1Sa well, which reached approximately 4840 metres in depth, a substantial 283-metre section was found to contain oil and gas reserves. Early tests reported production rates of about 13.2 million cubic feet of natural gas and roughly 800 barrels of crude oil per day, underscoring a significant advancement for the area’s natural gas prospects.

Xu Changgui, the chief geologist at CNOOC, highlighted that this discovery not only opens up extensive potential within the Beibu Gulf basin but also provides valuable insights for similar offshore projects in China. Meanwhile, chief executive Zhou Xinhuai reiterated the company’s commitment to expanding its resource portfolio, noting that recent years have seen several notable oil and gas finds across various offshore buried hill formations.

Posted on 3/07/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

SBM Offshore Secures Fifth FPSO Deal for Exxon’s Guyana Expansion

 SBM Offshore has been awarded a major FPSO contract to deliver the FPSO ONE GUYANA, which will serve ExxonMobil’s Uaru field development in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

This is SBM’s fifth FPSO project in Guyana, and the unit will be one of its largest-ever. Designed with a production capacity of 250,000 barrels per day and storage for 2 million barrels, it will play a key role in Exxon’s aggressive development program targeting over 1.3 million barrels per day from Guyana by 2027.

Construction will follow SBM’s Fast4Ward® design philosophy, with a standardized hull already under construction in China. Topsides fabrication and integration will take place in Singapore, ensuring delivery by 2026.

This project highlights Guyana’s emergence as one of the world’s most profitable offshore basins, and SBM’s ability to deliver complex deepwater assets efficiently.

Posted on 3/07/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

Petrobras Expands Offshore Fleet Orders to Support Brazil’s Pre-Salt Growth

Petrobras has expanded its shipbuilding program, increasing its new vessel orders to 48 units by 2026, as the company prepares for a sharp rise in offshore production from Brazil’s pre-salt fields.

The orders cover a wide mix of vessels, including:

• Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) to support deepwater rigs.
• Coastal product tankers to move crude and refined products between domestic terminals.
• Gas carriers to service growing LNG exports and coastal gas deliveries.

Petrobras’ Buzios field, the company’s crown jewel in the pre-salt, is set to host at least six new FPSOs by 2030, pushing daily production at the field to over 2 million barrels per day. This growing offshore footprint demands a robust, locally-supported supply chain, including a dedicated fleet of support and shuttle vessels.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has also linked the expansion of Petrobras’ fleet to his broader industrial policy, aiming to revitalize Brazilian shipyards and create thousands of jobs.

Posted on 3/07/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

Medco Energi’s New Oil Find Strengthens Indonesia’s Production Outlook

 Medco Energi, Indonesia’s leading independent energy company, has announced a significant oil discovery after completing drilling at its Senoro-3 wildcat well in the Senoro-Toili Block offshore Sulawesi.

The well encountered high-quality oil-bearing sands in an underexplored reservoir horizon, producing higher-than-expected flow rates during initial testing. This discovery is particularly important as Indonesia struggles to reverse its declining crude output, which has fallen steadily since peaking in the 1990s.

The new discovery sits within tie-back range of Medco’s existing Senoro gas infrastructure, which was originally developed for LNG exports. While Senoro is best known for its gas reserves, this oil find enhances the field’s value, enabling dual production streams.

Medco has already begun fast-track development planning, aiming to bring first oil online by late 2026. The discovery could also de-risk nearby exploration prospects, supporting future drilling campaigns in the block.

Posted on 3/06/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

New Fortress’ Floating LNG Plant Outperforms Expectations in Early Operations

 

(Photo Source: newfortressenergy.com)

New Fortress Energy has confirmed that its pioneering Fast LNG 1 facility, a modular floating liquefaction plant installed off Louisiana, is already producing above its design capacity in early operations.

Mounted on a converted jack-up rig, Fast LNG 1 is the first in a series of modular offshore LNG units designed to provide flexible export capacity for smaller stranded gas fields and existing pipelines. This flexibility reduces capital costs compared to traditional onshore LNG plants, allowing faster payback.

The first cargoes from Fast LNG 1 have already been shipped to Europe and Asia, where demand for flexible spot LNG remains strong. The success of this unit strengthens New Fortress’ position as a disruptor in the LNG supply chain, with Fast LNG 2 and 3 expected to follow later this year.

Posted on 3/06/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

TotalEnergies Completes Key Milestone with Taiwan Offshore Wind Farm

 TotalEnergies has officially completed the Hai Long Offshore Wind Project, a 1.2 GW development off the coast of Taiwan, solidifying its position as a major player in Asia’s renewable energy transition.

The project, developed in partnership with Yushan Energy, combines fixed-bottom turbines and a floating demonstration platform, making it one of the most technologically diverse offshore wind farms in the region.

Despite challenging seabed conditions and typhoon risks, TotalEnergies applied its offshore engineering expertise — developed from decades of FPSO and deepwater oil projects — to successfully install all turbines on schedule.

The wind farm is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power 600,000 households, contributing directly to Taiwan’s goal of phasing out coal power by 2035.

Posted on 3/06/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

NYK Signs Historic Deal for Heavy Cargo Ships at Chinese Shipyard

(Photo Source: nbpc.co.jp)

 Japanese shipping major NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers has signed a landmark contract with China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. for up to four new 33,000 dwt deck carriers. This marks the first time NYK Bulk has ordered vessels directly from Dalian Shipbuilding.

The vessels are purpose-built for transporting large, heavy, and oversized cargo, such as offshore wind farm components and industrial plant modules — aligning with growing demand for project cargo capacity driven by the global energy transition.

The ships will be dual-fuel ready, capable of running on methanol or ammonia, in line with NYK Group’s decarbonization roadmap. First delivery is expected in early 2027, with optional vessels delivering through 2028 if exercised.

By choosing Dalian, NYK Bulk gains competitive pricing and faster delivery, though the deal underscores Japan’s growing dependence on Chinese shipbuilding capacity, even as the Japanese government tries to revive its own shipyard sector.

Posted on 3/06/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

Trump Prepares Bold Action to Rebuild US Shipyards and Counter China

The Trump administration is preparing to issue a sweeping executive order designed to rebuild the United States’ struggling shipbuilding sector, with a focus on countering China’s near-monopoly in global ship production. The order, which could be signed as early as next week, outlines several major policy changes targeting both military and commercial shipbuilding.

Under the plan, Chinese-built vessels calling at U.S. ports would face new fees, especially those operating in domestic shipping trades governed by the Jones Act. Furthermore, port cranes and cargo handling equipment sourced from Chinese manufacturers would also be subject to tariffs and operational surcharges.

To encourage domestic shipbuilding, the order creates a White House Office of Shipbuilding, which will act as a central policy hub to coordinate between the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, the Maritime Administration (MARAD), and commercial shipowners. This office will also oversee new subsidies, tax credits, and direct investment programs aimed at modernizing outdated shipyards and attracting new orders.

The plan establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund, which will channel federal funding into U.S. yards to enhance construction capabilities for both commercial vessels (like container ships and LNG carriers) and naval auxiliary vessels. This initiative fits into Trump’s broader America First industrial strategy, directly tying maritime security to economic policy.

Industry reactions have been mixed — U.S. yards and unions welcomed the support, while importers worry about higher shipping costs if fewer lower-cost Chinese ships are allowed into U.S. trades.

Posted on 3/06/2025 / 0 comments / Read More

Norwegian player carves away FPSO segment from renewables business

 

Penguins FPSO

Oslo-listed company Magnora has decided to separate its legacy business, the divested segment related to floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units for oil and gas industry, from its renewables business, with significant activity in the offshore wind industry.

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Source: Offshore Engineer 

Posted on 1/21/2024 / 0 comments / Read More

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, NAPA and CADMATIC develop digital shipyard

Source HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's premier shipbuilding company, has launched an innovative joint development project with two leading maritime software firms, specializing in smart 3D design, engineering, and information management. This initiative is set to revolutionize the shipbuilding industry's digital landscape. 

 The project's focus is on creating an advanced ship design and information management system, incorporating a sophisticated product lifecycle management (PLM) framework. Utilizing cutting-edge 3D modeling and the latest in information management technologies, the collaboration aims to develop intelligent tools that will oversee the entire shipbuilding process. 

This initiative aligns with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' vision to establish a "digital shipyard." The concept involves leveraging smart data and digital twins to enhance the efficiency of design, construction, and production processes. This approach will not only optimize these processes but also serve as a valuable information resource throughout the ship's operational lifespan. 

The collaboration is set to significantly boost shipbuilding efficiency by reducing timeframes, cutting costs, and improving the quality of large-scale and complex shipbuilding projects. By integrating digital technologies, the initiative will foster seamless collaboration among various shipyard departments, enhancing information flow among the hundreds, or even thousands, of individuals involved in ship design and construction. The objective is to streamline processes and achieve flawless design, ensuring both production efficiency and operational safety. 

In addition to optimizing ship design and construction workflows, this project positions HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to meet the increasing demand for innovative, energy-efficient ship designs. These designs are crucial for shipowners aiming to transition towards decarbonization. The company is set to enhance its capabilities in delivering next-generation vessels, incorporating alternative fuels and new technologies like battery systems or wind propulsion. 

Under this agreement, the software partners will merge their extensive shipbuilding expertise in naval architecture, as well as initial, detailed, and production design. Their skills in modern 3D-based collaboration and information management, including PLM, will be combined with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' unmatched experience in shipbuilding.

Posted on 1/21/2024 / 0 comments / Read More

COSCO SHIPPING Specialized’s XIANG TAI KOU Delivered

 

XIANG TAI KOU (Source Cosco Shipping)

COSCO SHIPPING Specialized’s newest 65,000t DWT DP2 semi-submersible vessel was delivered on December 28th, 2023. This new 46m wide addition brings the total fleet to sixteen vessels.

In the previous year, COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers collaborated with Guangzhou Salvage to establish a joint venture. This partnership oversees a diverse fleet of semi-submersible vessels, with capacities ranging from 20,000 to 98,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt). This fleet includes two of the world's largest semi-submersible vessels.

Posted on 1/20/2024 / 0 comments / Read More

HMH Secures Major Contract with Brazilian Driller Constellation

 

Gold Star rig (Source Keppel)

HMH, a Norwegian company specializing in both offshore and onshore drilling equipment, has recently signed a significant long-term services agreement with Brazilian drilling contractor Constellation Oil Services. This deal, notable for its duration and potential for extension, focuses on providing integrated maintenance support for the blowout preventers (BOPs) on three of Constellation's ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rigs operating off the coast of Brazil.

These rigs, named Alpha Star, Gold Star, and Lone Star, are key assets in Constellation's fleet. Each is an ultra-deepwater DP semi-submersible drilling rig, with impressive capabilities in terms of water and drilling depth. They are specifically equipped to handle challenging pre-salt drilling operations.

This partnership is being touted as a first of its kind in Brazil, with a unique remuneration model that ties payment to performance, effectively sharing the risks between HMH and Constellation. Rodrigo Ribeiro, CEO of Constellation, highlighted the benefits of this agreement, expecting it to enhance the reliability and operational efficiency of the rigs, especially in well control and process safety. It's also anticipated to open up new business opportunities for Constellation.

Under the agreement, HMH and Constellation will collaboratively handle the maintenance of the rigs' BOPs. The scope includes parts supply, predictive and preventative maintenance, optimization of maintenance schedules using data analytics, maintenance between wells, ongoing certification, and continuous engineering support from HMH's team.

Chuck Chauviere, President of HMH’s Pressure Control Systems division, emphasized the implementation of a condition-based maintenance program. This approach is intended to optimize maintenance intervals and improve overall operational performance, ensuring that the BOPs are always in a ready-to-operate state.

The partnership is expected to make a significant impact on the uptime of drilling and well intervention campaigns. By changing the approach to equipment maintenance and asset management, these drilling units should be available for use over longer periods, providing a boost to operational efficiency and profitability.

Constellation’s current offshore fleet includes a diverse range of rigs, capable of operating in various water depths, making them a versatile player in the offshore drilling sector.

Posted on 1/20/2024 / 0 comments / Read More

Grain de Sail II: Inaugurating the Future of Eco-Friendly Maritime Transport

Grain de Sail

Grain de Sail, a French company, recently held a celebration for the christening of Grain de Sail II, the world's most substantial modern cargo sailboat. This vessel, constructed by the local shipbuilder Piriou, represents a significant advancement in eco-friendly maritime transport.

Grain de Sail II, following over a year of construction and a transit exceeding two months, arrived at its home port in Saint-Malo, France, in late November 2023. The christening ceremony, which took place on January 11, 2024, marked the vessel's addition to Grain de Sail's fleet of wind-powered cargo ships.

 

The ship, powered primarily by wind (except during port maneuvers), measures 52 meters in length, more than double the size of its predecessor. It has a capacity of transporting 290 European pallets or 350 tons of cargo, which is nearly ten times the payload of the first Grain de Sail vessel. This represents a significant stride in reducing carbon emissions, with the Grain de Sail II capable of reducing carbon emissions by over 90% compared to traditional ships on similar routes.

 

The Grain de Sail II, constructed entirely from aluminum, boasts 1,500 square meters of sails. It is designed to travel from Saint-Malo to New York in approximately fifteen days, achieving commercial speeds of up to 12 knots. The ship's design integrates solar panels, hydro generators, and the first pellet boiler installed on a merchant ship, further reinforcing its commitment to eco-friendly operations.

 

The upcoming steps for the Grain de Sail II involve installing sails, conducting sea trials, and training sailors before its first commercial voyage to New York in early March. Olivier Barreau, co-founder and President of Grain de Sail, emphasized the vessel's capacity to fulfill the company's transport needs for cocoa and coffee and offered its use to other companies seeking to decarbonize their maritime transport. Loïc Briand, Managing Director of Grain de Sail Shipping, highlighted the ship's design, developed through extensive experience and thousands of work hours, ensuring safety, comfort, and environmental preservation.

 

In related developments, Grain de Sail has launched a new sail-powered shipping line connecting Saint-Malo in France with Southampton in the UK, further expanding its eco-friendly maritime transport initiatives.

Posted on 1/20/2024 / 0 comments / Read More

Octopus-Onboard selected for Dockwise Vanguard

Amarcon, part of the ABB group, has received an order for OCTOPUS-Onboard for Dockwise's latest semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, Dockwise Vanguard. The vessel  was launched in November 2012 and is currently undergoing sea trials.

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Source: Offshore Shipping Online

Posted on 12/19/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

COSCO and NMA Maritime Form Joint Ventures

China's COSCO Shipping has established two new companies with NMA Maritime & Offshore Contractors in the Netherlands.

The partners, who have done business together for more than 25 years, will form companies in the Netherlands and in the U.S., COSCO Shipping said in a statement.

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Source: Break Bulk

Posted on 12/19/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Shtokman could be back up and running

There is a suggestion that the giant Shtokman gas project is up an running again with front end engineering and design underway. 
Technical design work is now underway for the first two phases of the Shtokman field gas development in the Barents Sea, according to an official Gazprom statement cited by the Barents Nova website.

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Source: Offshore.no

Posted on 12/19/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Olympus hull sets sail for Shell

The hull of Shell's new tension-leg platform has begun its journey to the Gulf of Mexico as the Anglo-Dutch supermajor prepares to take the next steps in its plan to expand deep-water development in the prolific Mars field.

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Source: Upstreamonline

Posted on 11/28/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

ONGC pushes back jack-up tender

India’s state-owned Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has delayed the $200 million-plus tender involving conversion of its jack-up rig Sagar Pragati into a mobile offshore production unit (Mopu) by close to two months.

Sources close to the tendering process said that the bid submission deadline for the Mopu tender has now been pushed forward to 10 January 2013. ONGC had earlier set a November deadline for bid submission for Sagar Pragati.

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Source: Upstreamonline

Posted on 11/28/2012 / 1 comments / Read More

Dockwise Vanguard prepares to set sail

Dockwise's brand new 275-metre-long heavy lift vessel Dockwise Vanguard is due to begin service by the end of the year.

The Dutch company is holding a vessel naming ceremony at Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea on 29 November. The giant ship is the largest in Dockwise's fleet.

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Source: Upstreamonline

Posted on 11/28/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

COOEC links with Petrofac to chase Dorra

Chinese fabricator Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) has formed a partnership with UK-listed Petrofac to jointly bid for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract for developing the offshore Dorra non-associated gas field in the neutral zone between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue the giant tender, which sources said could be launched in the first half of next year. The Dorra EPCI contract could be worth up to $1.5 billion, sources suggested.

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Source: Upstreamonline

Posted on 11/28/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Boskalis Becomes Largest Shareholder in Dockwise

Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. has announced that it currently holds a 33.0% stake in the Dutch heavy lift and transportation company Dockwise. As a result, Boskalis is now the largest shareholder in Dockwise.

Boskalis on Monday announced its intention to acquire Dockwise for a total consideration of EUR 682 million ($883,8 million).

The company, a global services provider operating in the dredging, maritime infrastructure and maritime services sectors, has said that the combination of the two companies provides new strategic opportunities for accelerated growth of the offshore services. The Dockwise Ltd. group consists of four, global operating companies which all provide specialty services primarily in the heavy marine transport and the oil and gas services industries.

Source: Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V.

Posted on 11/28/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Competition heats up for Upper Zakum expansion

Bidders for the $4 billion Upper Zakum (UZ 750) oilfield expansion project are squaring off for what could be a sharp fight as the Abu Dhabi client considers its options following commercial tenders giving a South Korean contractor the edge.

The client Zakum Development Company (Zadco) is “not happy with the results of the commercial bidding and (low bidder) Hyundai Heavy Industries may be dropped”, one source from a rival bidder told Upstream.

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Source: Upstreamonline

Posted on 11/23/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Waiting game for Browse contract rivals

Rivals for the major turnkey contracts for the Browse liquefied natural gas project in Western Australia have each put their bids forward and now await the final decisions of operator Woodside Petroleum.
It is understood that commercial and technical clarifications for the big offshore contracts have been completed, and Woodside is aiming to make internal decisions about contract winners in the coming weeks.

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Source: Upstreamonline

Posted on 11/23/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Mariner and Bressay bids under evaluation

Statoil expects to make a significant step forward with its Mariner and Bressay heavy oil developments in the UK North Sea by the end of this year. 
Bids for Engineering Procurement and Construction of the major surface facilities at Mariner are now with Statoil and are under evaluation. 

And the operator expects to make a final investment decision on the Mariner project late this year, an operator source has indicated. 

“All major bids for Mariner and Bressay surface facilities are currently under evaluation, with planned contact awards in 2012/2013,”  the source confirmed. “We expect to make the final investment decision for Mariner late this year.”

Meanwhile Statoil is also planning to come out to the market with in next month with another major subsea tender related to Mariner and Bressay, for Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines. 

One tender of the major EPC tenders is for the construction of the Mariner steel jacket. A second is for a drilling package, and a third is for provision of process and utilities and living quarters – referred to by Statoil as a PULQ. Tenders were invited last June.

Development of Mariner alone has been estimated at £5 billion, with a major new production, drilling and quarters platform supported on a steel jacket, and a floating storage unit.  And the bid packages included options for similar facilities at Bressay.

As many as 50 wells with up to 92 sidetrack wells are predicted in order to tap the Mariner heavy oil which lies in two reservoirs, Maureen sands, and an overlaying Heimdal sand. Wells are to be fitted with downhole pumps and diluent is also planned as part of the development to dilute crude for better flow rates.Source: offshore.no

Posted on 11/23/2012 / 1 comments / Read More

Prosafe: Contract award for Safe Scandinavia

Prosafe has been awarded a contract by an undisclosed client for the provision of the Safe Scandinavia accommodation support rig at a project in the British sector of the North Sea. The firm period of the contract is 187 days with on-site operations planned to commence April 2013.

Total value of the contract for the firm period is about USD 58.1 million.

Source

Posted on 8/01/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Ensco Takes Delivery of Final ENSCO 8500 SeriesRig

Ensco plc (NYSE: ESV) took delivery of the seventh and final rig in the ENSCO 8500 Series^® on 30 July at the Keppel FELS shipyard in Singapore, where all the rigs in the series have been built. The rig is contracted to Anadarko for work in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico starting in December.

“The construction and successful commencement of the ENSCO 8500 Series distinguish Ensco from other offshore drillers,” said Dan Rabun, Chairman, President and CEO of Ensco plc. “We undertook this series in 2005 based on our reading of the market and of our customers’ needs, and time has proven us right on both counts. It’s a dependable, efficient workhorse rig and customers keep coming back.”

The series has been notable for its reliability and high uptime. The ENSCO 8500 Series rigs were the first to be recertified by regulators for work in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico following the Macondo incident, and achieved 97 percent utilization worldwide in 2011. These rigs have also helped Ensco achieve the number one customer rating in deepwater drilling in the annual EnergyPoint survey for the past two years.

“The cost-efficient proprietary design and standardized approach to the series have paid off for both Ensco and our customers,” addedJohn Knowlton, Ensco Senior Vice President – Technical. “As a result, we have made standardization one of the elements that sets our fleet apart – not just in this series but in our high-spec jackups and our drillships as well.”

Ensco plc was added to the S&P 500 Index, the world’s most followed stock index, after trading hours yesterday. The index includes 500 leading companies in the major industries of the U.S. economy.

Source

Posted on 8/01/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Olympia secures US $652 million deal

Norway's Ocean Rig has landed a major new drilling deal for one of its latest units worth US $652 million.

Ocean Rig Olympia has received a letter of award by an undisclosed major operator for a three year 
drilling contract offshore West Africa, continuing on from an existing drilling deal.

Click here to read more.


Source: Offshore.no

Posted on 4/10/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Hyundai inks LNGC for Tsakos

Athens, Greece - April 10, 2012 - Tsakos Energy Navigation announced the order of one plus one state-of-the-art LNG carrier for delivery in Q1 2015 at a major South Korean yard.

While the owner does not reveal the yard involved in the deal, it was reported that the contract had gone to Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The vessel is of the new tri-fuel design enabling the ship to run on fuel oil, marine diesel/gas oil and natural gas offering attractive alternatives to charterers.

Discussions for long-term contracts have commenced and management is confident that such employment will be secured well before the first delivery in early 2015.

Concurrently with this order, TEN announced the commencement of the previously announced four-year charter for its LNG carrier Neo Energy to a major international entity and a repeat employer of the vessel at an accretive rate reflective of current market conditions.

"We are particularly pleased with this order as it expands our presence in this exciting field. LNG operations require a particular set of discipline and commitment in order to gain credence with the sector's premier charterers and we are proud to have met the challenge," stated Mr. John Stavropoulos, Chairman of the Board.

"The LNG sector together with the offshore shuttle tankers market will be playing a growing role in our Company's affairs going forward. These segments provide longer term fixed rate charters that enhance the visibility of future revenues and profits and allow the Company to maintain its strong balance sheet and dividend sustainability going forward," said Mr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, President & Chief Executive Officer of TEN.

"These new LNG orders add to the Company's two shuttle tanker contracts with delivery in Q1 and Q2 2013 to a major South American oil company for 15 years each with minimum revenues in excess of $500 million in total. Today we operate one of the most modern product carrier fleets in the world, have significant presence in the crude sector and enhanced ice-class capabilities.

These new investments follow our clients' needs in the ever growing energy sector and we remain committed to provide them with a diversified fleet to meet their requirements. In the meantime and in this low cost environment, we entertain various opportunities in the greater tanker sector and intend to move on these in the near future " Mr. Tsakos concluded.

To date, TEN's pro forma fleet consists of 51 double-hull vessels of 5.5 million dwt that includes one LNG carrier and two DP2 suezmax shuttle tankers currently under construction totaling 400,000 dwt. TEN's balanced fleet profile is reflected in 23 crude tankers ranging from VLCCs to aframaxes and 26 clean/product carriers ranging from aframaxes to handysize and two LNG carriers.

Source: Asiasis

Posted on 4/10/2012 / 2 comments / Read More

DSME Signs MoU with Peru Government for Construction of Naval Vessels

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co inked a memorandum of understanding with Peru for construction of naval vessels for the country’s navy. The MoU includes construction of the new vessels and maintenance and upgrades of Navy’s submarines.

Daewoo Shipbuilding Chief Executive Ko Jae-ho said that the initial pact gives DSME exclusive rights to build submarines and multi-role support ships if the company clinches a final deal with the Peruvian government.

Early this year DSME received a KRW800 billion ($704 million) contract to build MARS, tankers for the British Navy.

Source: World Maritime News

Posted on 4/10/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Fairstar announces sea trials FORTE and launching FINESSE

Fairstar Heavy Transport N.V. (FAIR) announced the Company's new build 50,000DWT semi-submersible vessel FORTE has departed the quayside and begun a series of tests and sea trials off the coast of China. The sea trials will be under the supervision of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the vessel's Classification Society.

Willem Out, COO of Fairstar, commented from the Bridge of the FORTE "I have been in the shipping business for almost 40 years, out of which I have been at sea for over twenty years on many different types of vessels. This is one of my proudest moments at Fairstar and one of the most satisfying for me personally. Our crew on board the FORTE are all full time Fairstar professionals; a combination of veterans from the FJORD and FJELL as well as a number of newly hired Dutch mariners and engineers.

Our partners at Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) have done an excellent job. They have maintained a disciplined schedule and we are totally satisfied with the design of the ship and the quality of her construction.

We look forward to testing her limits over the next two weeks. After she returns to Port, we will begin to prepare for the formal naming ceremony on May 23.

In July, FORTE will be on contract for the next two years in the Gorgon LNG Project. She is scheduled to transport some of the biggest and most valuable modules from Korea to Barrow Island, Australia over the course of our time charter. The FORTE will be delivered on time and on budget."

The FORTE's sister ship FINESSE was launched from the dry-dock in Qidong on Thursday, April 5. FINESSE is scheduled for delivery to Fairstar in Late October 2012.

Source: Fairstar

Posted on 4/10/2012 / 0 comments / Read More

Prosafe awarded contracts by Statoil

Prosafe has been awarded two separate contracts by Statoil Petroleum AS (‘Statoil’) using the Safe Scandinavia and Regalia.

The Safe Scandinavia will be used for accommodation support at Snorre A in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea for a nine-month firm period. On site operations are planned to commence within March 2014. In addition, Prosafe has granted Statoil an additional three-month option. Statoil has the ability to extend the firm period to 16 months on or before end June 2012.

Total value of the nine-month firm period for the Safe Scandinavia is around USD 76.6 million. If the firm period is extended to 16 months, the total value will be around USD 132.8 million.

The Regalia will be used for accommodation support at Svalin/Grane in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea for a five-month firm period. On site operations are planned to commence within February 2014. In addition, Prosafe has granted Statoil four additional one-month options and if exercised, the Regalia will relocate to the Brage platform in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Statoil has the ability to extend the firm period to nine months on or before end June 2012.

Total value of the five-month firm period for the Regalia is around USD 47.3 million. If the firm period is extended to nine months, the total value will be around USD 74.7 million.

These awards from Statoil demonstrate the Safe Scandinavia’s and Regalia’s long-term value in the Norwegian sector. With the potential of continuous operations into Q3 2015 and the introduction of the new build Safe Boreas into the fleet within 2014, Prosafe is well placed to serve clients’ accommodation requirements.

Source: Prosafe

Posted on 4/10/2012 / 1 comments / Read More

Wilton Engineering secures major North Sea project with Subsea 7

Wilton Engineering Services (WESL) Limited – the international design, engineering and fabrication business – has secured a multi-million pound contract with Subsea 7. 

Wilton Engineering, a Wilton Group company, will construct support clamps for work on DONG Energy’s SIRI Caisson Support Project in the Danish sector of the North Sea.

Subsea 7 announced last year it had won an offshore engineering and construction frame agreement with DONG Energy in support of the project.

The Wilton Group, which employs 700 people at businesses in Aberdeen, Dundee, Teesside, Great Yarmouth and Brazil, has secured oil and gas contracts worth more than £55m in the past four months.

Wilton Business Development Director Des Hatfield said: “This latest project serves to underline our capabilities to work with global companies to deliver design, engineering and fabrication solutions. We’re delighted to be working on this project.”

Wilton Engineering managing director Steven Pearson said: “Our enhanced capabilities mean we can provide an integrated solution for clients and its turnkey projects.”

As a major subcontractor of Subsea 7, WESL is carrying out the major task of fabricating large caisson clamps. This permanent solution consists of installing three piles next to the SIRI subsea storage tank and connecting them to the caissons with the fabricated clamps including cable stays. This is part of an on-going programme.

SIRI is located in the North West part of the Danish sector of the North Sea. The SIRI platform is moored in 197 feet (60 metres) of water and is a combined wellhead, processing and accommodation facility.

Wilton Engineering provides bespoke, high-quality engineering and fabrication solutions to the offshore and petrochemical industries from its 50-acre Port Clarence offshore base on the River Tees

Wilton Engineering is one of four businesses which make up the Wilton Group. Together with other group companies - PD&MS Energy, Wilton Dundee and Universal Coatings, it can offer fully integrated turnkey packages across a range of onshore and offshore engineering sectors.

Source: Wilton

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