Altera offloads towage business to focus on FPSO, shuttle tanker, and CCS ops

UK-based energy services provider Altera Infrastructure has disposed of ALP Maritime Group, a Dutch provider of ocean towing, offshore positioning and mooring of floating platforms, heavy transport, and salvage operations.

The divestment of ALP Maritime Group, together with all its subsidiaries, is part of Altera’s strategy to concentrate on its core segments, particularly the FPSO and shuttle tanker operations. In addition, this enables the firm to prepare for investments in the Stella Maris carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in support of the global energy transition.

Ingvild Sæther, President and CEO of Altera Infrastructure Group, commented: “The divestment of our towage segment is aligned with Altera’s strategy to own and operate critical infrastructure in the offshore energy sector and will allow us to focus more on our stable, medium and long-term contracts for our remaining assets and enable us to pursue exciting new opportunities in our developing CCS business, in particular following award of our first offshore carbon storage license in the Norwegian sector.”

Alters claims that the sale of the fleet of anchor handing tug (AHT) vessels also offers ALP further development opportunities under – what is said to be – new and experienced ownership. However, the company did not provide any further information about the sale of ALP. The name of the buyer also remained undisclosed.
 
Paul Mulder, CEO of ALP, remarked: “I like to thank Altera for their continued support over the years. Together we have grown ALP to become the market leader in its field, performing over 350 projects while being under the umbrella of Altera. We are sure that these vessels and the crew sailing them will make next owners as proud as they have made us.”

Recently, ALP partnered with Ocean Installer, putting three new vessels at the Norway-based firm’s disposal to support its FPSO towing and hook-up assignments. Currently, the Dutch player has a fleet of eight versatile DP II long-distance towing and anchor-handling vessels.

On the other hand, Altera Infrastructure selected DOF Group to install a cylindrical FPSO and a floating storage unit (FSO) at Eni’s oil and gas development offshore Côte d’Ivoire, Africa.