UK operator orders six vessels from Balenciaga

The contract, said to be worth £70m, is part of a fleet modernisation and expansion programme, and the new ships will replace existing tonnage in Craig’s 36-strong fleet, as part of a drive to modernise and expand its fleet.

The order is for four vessels of 50m length oa to the IMT 950 design from Offshore Ship Designers, and two 58m ships to the IMT 958 design, also by OSD. They will be known in the Craig fleet as ‘D class’ and ‘F class’ respectively. Craig already has four D Class vessels in service. The four additional ERRVs will each carry a minimum of one daughter craft and one fast rescue craft.

The F Class vessels will also be equipped with daughter craft and fast rescue craft as well as being able to act as supply ships. They will feature diesel electric propulsion via twin azimuth stern drives.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2014 and continue to early 2016.

Craig Group MD Douglas Craig said: “This significant investment is part of our continued drive to operate the largest and most modern wholly British-owned fleet engaged in the UK offshore industry. A new-build programme of this size and scale underlines our commitment to the marine industry and means that we continue to offer our customers an unrivalled service.”