One of Dof Rederi's platform supply vessels (PSVs) has secured a five-year contract down under with Esso Australia.
The 4,700-dwt Skandi Feistein (built 2011) will begin the contract with the energy company before the end of 2019.
Mons S. Aase, chief executive of Dof, the shipowner's parent company, called the contract "a very important win".
"It is our first long-term contract with Esso in Australia and an important step in our strategy of growing our fleet in the [Asia-Pacific] region," he said.
The value of the contract was not disclosed, but long-term charter revenue from the vessel will provide a welcome boost to Dof's contract backlog, which stood at NOK 20bn ($2.2bn) as of 31 March.
In May, Dof warned that tough markets for offshore support vessels mean the company is likely to be unable to pay back some bank loans and be in breach of its covenants with lenders.
AIS tracking data shows Skandi Feistein has not begun its voyage to Australia, but has been active between Aberdeen, Scotland and North Sea oilfields during the past four weeks.
Esso Australia, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Australia, has a number of ongoing offshore natural gas projects at fields off the south-east coast of Victoria.
