Five shipowners to provide supply vessels for Equinor

Norwegian energy giant Equinor has awarded six contracts to five shipowners, for a total value estimated at more than NOK 2.5 billion (about $232 million), including options.

The six platform supply vessels (PSVs) will be managed by Simon Møkster Shipping, Island Offshore Management, Eidesvik, Remøy Shipping, and P/F Skansi Offshore, Equinor announced on Friday.

The contracts will take effect before the end of 2022, and have a three-year firm period and three one-year options. The vessels will support Equinor’s activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Mette H. Ottøy, chief procurement officer, said: “Long-term commitments are mutually beneficial to Equinor and our suppliers. They ensure predictability and form the foundation for innovative solutions to improve on all aspects of our collaboration, including reduction of emissions from our operations.”

Vessels, owners, and ship management:

• Island Crusader, Island Offshore VIII KS, Island Offshore Management
• Stril Luna, Simon Møkster Rederi AS, Simon Møkster Shipping
• Stril Mar, Simon Møkster Rederi AS, Simon Møkster Shipping
• Rem Hrist, Etta Shipowning Ltd, Remøy Shipping
• Kongsborg, Skansi Ship Invest P/F, P/F Skansi Offshore
• Viking Avant, Eidesvik MPSV AS, Eidesvik

In addition, Equinor has extended a contract with Island Offshore Shipholding LP for four years, for Island Clipper, which is a combined platform supply vessel and walk-to-work vessel. Island Clipper has supported the Oseberg field in the past and is scheduled to also work on the Hywind Tampen offshore wind farm.

As part of the agreement, there is a joint commitment to pursue possibilities to modify the Island Crusader and Kongsborg vessels to be powered by ammonia fuel. This will be carried out in two separate projects involving a number of sub-suppliers throughout the maritime industry. The overall goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent by use of ammonia fuel. All six vessels either have, or will get, a battery installed for hybrid operations.

The agreements include a requirement for the vessels to employ one cadet or ordinary seaman for each shift, as a recruitment contribution to the maritime industry.

“We are dependent on supply vessels like these to support our more than 40 fields in operation on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), and we look forward to collaborating with the ship owners and crews for many years to come,” said Ørjan Kvelvane, senior vice president for Joint operations support.