Russian work is providing some relief for owners of offshore support vessels hit by terrible North Sea markets.
The summer drilling season in Russia is fast approaching and a "raft" of UK and Norway-based ships have been chartered to work in the Arctic, Norwegian broker Seabrokers said.
They will operate alongside some additional Russian-owned vessels.
Russian shipowner Femco has awarded 80-day firm contracts to Viking Supply Ships for its 19,034-bp anchor handling tug supply vessel Magne Viking (built 2011) and to two Rem Offshore platform supply vessels — the 4,900-dwt Rem Arctic (built 2015) and 4,300-dwt Rem Cetus (built 2013).
Femco has also contracted a trio of Solstad Offshore PSVs — the 4,000-dwt Normand Serenade (built 2009), and 4,700-dwt Normand Surfer and Sea Spear (both built 2014).
The Russian company is working alongside Rosneft on drilling operations carried out by CNOOC unit China Offshore Services Ltd (COSL)'s semi-submersible Nanhai 9 in the Kara Sea.
MAGE also booking ships
Separately, Russian survey company Marine Arctic Geological Expedition (MAGE) has awarded 90-day firm contracts to Siem Offshore for its 26,670-bhp AHTS Siem Pearl (built 2009), and to Solstad's 21,457-bhp Far Sigma (built 2014).
MAGE has also taken two Solstad PSVs — the 4,000-dwt Normand Sitella (built 2013) and 4,700-dwt Normand Supra (built 2014).
Norwegian newcomer Sverre Farstad has also won a deal for its 4,200-dwt PSV Farland (built 2016), while Vestland Offshore has moved its 4,900-dwt PSV Solvik Supplier (built 2011) north.
Denmark's Wilson Offshore is also contributing two ships.
MAGE is working with Gazprom for drilling operations using COSL's Nanhai 8, also in the Kara Sea.
Gazprom itself has fixed Russian owner Sevnor's 20,393-bhp AHTS Sayan Lord (built 2003). No term rates have been disclosed.
North Sea fleet shrinking
Lay-ups, redeployment and sales out of the market have reduced the North Sea spot fleet considerably this year.
There are now just six working AHTS units in the UK, with four of those unemployed.
Four of 20 AHTS units are without spot work in Norway. Five of 36 PSVs are charter-free in the UK, as well as four of only 16 PSVs remaining in Norway.
However, owners are still winning deals in the North Sea.
Solstad said a leading operator there has contracted two of its PSVs for a firm six months, plus options. The 4,000-dwt Far Spica (built 2013) is starting this month, with the 4,500-dwt Normand Springer (built 2014) or another sister vessel to follow in October.
Femco has its own fleet of 11 AHTS vessels, plus a crew boat, three MPPs and a product tanker.
