Offshore shipowners are starting to see a pick-up in activity in West Africa, with term deals on offer.
Norwegian shipbroker Seabrokers said the region has been one of those experiencing a slower recovery from pandemic-related demand destruction.
But period charters are now starting to roll in again, the company added.
Norway's Solstad Offshore is said to have fixed seven platform supply vessels there on medium-term deals in recent weeks.
Vessel names have not been released, but Seabrokers said that most — if not all — of the ships are expected to be relocated from north-western Europe.
Solstad's 3,700-dwt Normand Carrier (built 2010) has made this journey already, reaching anchorage at Luanda in Angola on Monday.
Brazil remains a bright spot for owners who have been struggling with weaker North Sea markets.
DOF Group subsidiary NorSkan Offshore has picked up two more anchor-handling tug supply vessel contracts there, Seabrokers said.
Back in July, the 23,112-bhp Skandi Paraty and 31,637-bhp Skandi Iguacu (both built 2016) were awarded contracts with Petrobras and Equinor, respectively, in the South American country.
Since then, the 16,820-bhp Skandi Botafogo (built 2006) has been awarded a three-year contract with Petrobras.
Operations will start in the fourth quarter of 2021, with 500 further optional days available.
And the oil major has also awarded a one-year contract extension to tie up the 32,000-bhp Skandi Amazonas (built 2011) until September 2022
In the North Sea, Norwegian broker Westshore calculates PSV utilisation at 94%.
Ostensjo Rederi's 4,100-dwt PSV Edda Fram (built 2007) has been booked by Ithaca Energy at £15,000 ($20,400) per day for supply duties, up from as low as £8,000 over the last week.
Four ships were listed as charter-free in Norway and the UK.
