Viking expands fleet

Viking Offshore Services has announced a multi-million pound investment in the construction of at least six new vessels in a move that signals its long-term commitment to the North Sea. The new-build program, valued at over $65 million, will see six new purpose-built 1,550 GT vessels added to the company’s fleet in a major modernisation program that also paves the way for Viking Offshore to expand into other European oil and gas markets

The contract, which carries an option for a further three vessels and would bring the total investment to nearly $100 million, has been placed with the Astilleros Zamakona shipyard in Bilbao, Spain. Work will get under way later this year with the first vessel expected to be delivered in the last quarter of 2006, in a rolling program of construction.

IMT Marine Consultants of Montrose, Scotland, designed the new vessels, which incorporate features from Viking’s previous new-build programs along with a number of new and innovative features.

The 55.2 metre long vessels have been designed to operate on a pan European basis, have excellent station?keeping capabilities, fuel efficiencies and provide high standards of crew safety and comfort. They will provide state of the art recovery and rescue support to the offshore oil and gas industry whilst at the same time seeking to add value to its customers through the vessel?s ability to service multiple offshore installations, through the use of a ?daughter craft?, and the provision of both deck and under-deck cargo capacity.

Diesel-electric propulsion systems ? offering approximately 40% fuel savings over conventional propulsion configuration, significant reductions in environmental emissions, and considerable benefits to the vessel?s crew through reduced noise and vibration.

Rescue and Recovery Equipment ? Daughter craft, Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) and Dacon Scoop system with dedicated survivors? reception, treatment room, shower and recovery areas. High degree of manoeuvrability derived from twin contra-rotating azimuthing thruster units aft and a bow tunnel thruster linked to an integrated joystick system available at all conning positions. Service speed is 12 knots.

The new additions to the fleet are designed to offer the ability to service multiple installations with the highest standards of recovery and rescue support. The new vessels will enhance the overall capabilities of Viking’s 33-strong fleet, replacing older vessels within it, as they are delivered. The newbuildings will be built to comply with the technical and operational specifications required to operate across the UK, Irish, Norwegian, Danish and Dutch sectors.

The Aberdeen-based company is the largest operator of dedicated standby vessels in the North Sea. It changed its name in June 2005 to Viking Offshore Services from BUE Viking, to reflect the acquisition of 100% ownership of the company in August 2004 by Viking Supply Ships A/S, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Norwegian investment firm Kistefos A/S.