Simon Møkster goes to Astilleros Gondwan for PSV newbuild

JUNE 25, 2012 — Norway’s Simon Møkster Shipping AS has selected Spanish shipbuilder Astilleros Gondan to build an advanced platform supply vessel of UT776 WP design that it is to charter to Statoil under a fixed three year contract awarded earlier this month. The contract includes options for three one-year extensions.

This will be Astilleros Gondan’s second vessel for Møkster. The shipyard has previously delivered Stril Merkur, a multi field support vessel on schedule and to good quality, notes Møkster, which says it is “very pleased with the contract, as our previous experience with the shipyard is very good.”

The vessel will be delivered during the summer of 2014 and will be built with NOFO 2009, Ice-1C, De-Ice and Rescue class. This is in line with Simon Møkster’s strategy of increasing its activity in the northern regions.

Simon Møkster is planning to recruit the vessels crew, which will consist of approximately 30 persons, from the northern area of Norway. Recruitment will be done from its office in Hammerfest, Møkster Polar.

Møkster says the vessel will be built according to its philosophy of having an environmentally friendly fleet. Much effort has been put into fuel efficiency and emissions reductions.

In line with Statoil’s requirements, the vessel will have a large deck area (more than 1,000 sq.m), large under-deck capacity and excellent station keeping capabilities.