FPSO stranded by strike

North Sea divers have scuppered the planned departure of a recently completed FPSO conversion at a South Tyneside yard. ?Global Producer III? was due to leave McNulty Offshore in South Shields yesterday following the completion of a nine-month conversion contract for Maersk Oil UK.

However, more than 900 Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) diving personnel launched strike action this week in support of a pay claim. The 53,552 DWT FPSO cannot be positioned in the Dumbarton field in the North Sea without the support of RMT divers. McNulty Offshore managing director Steve Keyworth said: “Obviously, this strike action will mean the vessel cannot be put into position in the North Sea.

“We cannot be sure, but I would have thought this strike will be resolved in a few days and that we will be able to move the ?Global Producer? within the next week.”

McNulty joined forces with Hebburn yard A&P Tyne on the 217m FPSO.