Atlantic Offshore orders FSV at Spanish shipbuilder

JUNE 12, 2013 — Norway’s Atlantic Offshore has ordered a new vessel valued at EUR 25 million from Spanish shipbuilder Zamakona Yards in Bilbao. The ship is the ninth newbuilding on order for Atlantic Offshore and the company says it expects to add more new vessels to its fleet over the next few years.

This is the third contract to be placed with the Bilbao based shipyard by Atlantic Offshore and is part of a modernisation program that has seen Atlantic recently sign agreements for a total of nine new vessels, four of which have already been delivered. The company fleet consists of a total of 24 ships, of which 19 are company-owned, and five are on management.The company says it expects to add more new vessels to its fleet over the next few years.

This latest newbuilding order is for  a Havyard Design HY820 Field Support Vessel that will operate for Shell UK over a period of five years, with option for five more. The ship will be completed and in operation in the second quarter of 2015. There will be a 40 percent contract participation by Norwegian subcontractors.

Oil Producers place great emphasis on modern ships that meet the most stringent requirements and regulations. Additionally, the new ships contain features beyond the emergency response they perform, such as towing, loading and storage capacity, says Atlantic Offshore CEO Roy Wareberg.

Atlantic Offshore has long-term contracts with Statoil, Total, GDF Suez, British Gas and Shell, and estimates that there may be several newbuildings associated with new contracts.

“We operate in a market with significant activity, and several newbuildings is a natural consequence of new contracts,” says Mr. Wareberg.