HST takes delivery of fourth FCS

The latest addition, HST Euan, follows the HST Sofia and HST Harri and was shipped from Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey to Rotterdam in mid-January this year.

“2019 was very much a year of growth,” said Tom Nevin, chief executive of HST, “and we are carrying that momentum forward into 2020.

“We are in discussions with Damen regarding not only additional crew transfer vessels but also multi-purpose vessels such as Multi Cats. This would be a degree of diversification for us, opening up activities such as cable laying and maintenance, trench support and marine civil engineering using the larger, DP2 Multi Cats for maximum versatility.”

The HST Euan replicates the features and layout of her sister ships including capacity for 26 passengers and the ability to operate in wave heights of more than two metres. Other advances include more flexibility, more tank capacity and greater deck space.

The new addition to the HST fleet has already been signed up for a five-year contract with wind farm operator MHI Vestas. Early next month she will join HST Harri in transporting personnel and equipment between Ostend and the company’s various sites in the North Sea.

HST is also supporting the Damen FCS 2610 and 2710 newbuilds in Taiwan for Hung Hua Construction with crew training in Europe and sea trials out on location. “Generally, we are looking to refine our service offerings and look more towards sustainable shipping,” concluded Tom Nevin.