Norway's Eidesvik Offshore has won a new shipmanagement deal from Aker BP for a pair of platform supply vessels (PSVs).
The contract for the 4,500-dwt NS Orla and NS Frayja (built 2014) starts on 1 October, the Oslo-listed shipowner said.
The vessels are 100% owned by Kjell Inge Rokke's Ocean Yield and bareboat chartered to the oil company, with ISM management listed as being carried out by Golden Energy Offshore.
In 2019, the duo were fitted with battery hybrid power.
"The hybrid solutions have resulted in more fuel efficient operations, and contribute to more environmental friendly operation of vessels on the NCS," Eidesvik said.
The two ships operate on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS). Eidesvik will manage them for three firm years, with more options after that.
"Eidesvik has been awarded the contract in competition with other suppliers, and we are very pleased with the confidence Aker BP is showing us," chief executive Jan Fredrik Meling said.
Environmental competence boosted
"The award of the ship management for two modern vessels with hybrid solutions, in addition to our own vessels in operation, will contribute to a further development of Eidesvik’s top competence and experience of operation of environmental friendly tonnage."
The owner is aiming to be the first to use ammonia-driven fuel cells on another of its PSVs in 2023.
"The change of ship manager for these vessels is part of a long-term strategy, where we have chosen our strategic partners for the delivery of supply vessel services," said Aker BP's vice president of logistics and marine, Gunn-Elin Hellegaard.
"We have great confidence in Eidesvik and that they will actively work to optimise the operation of the vessels as part of our common long-term initiative to redefine the supply chain by increased cost efficiency and sustainable solutions."
The vessels are Norwegian flagged and employ 56 crew between them.
The deal will be welcome to Eidesvik as it continues talks over liquidity with banks in the offshore downturn.
The company said in May it had begun negotiations with lenders to protect cash.
The PSV, seismic survey and subsea player had a cash balance of NOK 380.5m ($37.4m) and net interest-bearing debt of NOK 2.35bn at the end of the first quarter.
It reported a net loss of NOK 179m in the first three months, compared with a loss of NOK 49.7m a year ago. However, this mainly came from NOK 222m of currency losses.
