Solstad Offshore gets charter extensions from Equinor and Aker BP

Norwegian vessel owner Solstad Offshore has won contract extensions for two of its vessels with oil companies Equinor and Aker BP.

Solstad Offshore said on Thursday that Equinor declared an option to extend the contract for the anchor handling vessel Normand Ferking for one more year until November 2021.

Equinor has the option to extend the contract with further two one-year extensions. The Normand Ferking has been on contract with Equinor since 2007.

To remind, the previous extension for the vessel was awarded to Solstad back in November 2019. The Normand Ferking started its previous extension in direct continuation of its charter, meaning the vessel had a firm contract until November 2020.

Equinor added in its statement on Thursday that Aker BP extended the present contract for the Far Solitaire PSV with 12 months, starting on 1 January 2021. This extension is a part of the frame agreement between Aker BP and Solstad.

The last call off for the Far Solitaire, under the frame agreement, was done in mid-June 2020. At the time, the Far Solitaire was set to work with Aker BP until the end of 2020.

As for the frame agreement, Aker BP signed it with three vessel owners – Simon Møkster, Eidesvik Offshore, and Solstad Offshore – in March 2019. The duration of the frame agreements is for three years.

It is worth noting, Far Solitaire has been supporting Aker BP’s operations since December 2019 and both vessels will continue to support the oil and gas activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.