Dutch shipowner Vroon has secured a long-planned management deal for a Chinese offshore support vessel newbuilding after it changed hands in a resale deal.
The 80-loa MWV Falgout (built 2020) will be operated by Vroon Offshore Services in Singapore over an initial two-year period..
The vessel is a new purchase for Vroon's long-term partner, Jisco Marine of Brunei.
The OSV was constructed by POET (China) Shipbuilding & Engineering and is listed as previously owned by the yard.
Vroon said: "Amidst all the negative news that we have seen and heard in 2020, we are pleased to share a significant milestone for VOS Singapore."
The shipping company added the project started "way back" in the fourth quarter of 2019 and has been reviewed, discussed and reassessed multiple times over the past year.
"We have now crossed the finish line," Vroon said.
The ship has a 200-passenger capacity and a 70-tonne deck crane.
Chinese handover
"As with all offshore oil and gas projects, time between award and commencement is extremely tight and this has been made even more challenging by the current Covid-19 restrictions," Vroon said.
"Our team is now working hard to ensure we deliver the promised services on time and within budget."
Vroon's crew will assume responsibility for the ship in China in the coming weeks. The vessel will then head to Muara in Brunei.
The target date is February 2021.
Vroon also manages Jisco's 4,000-dwt OSV Nautical Aisya (built 2015).
Last week, the Dutch shipowner won its first ever offshore support vessel contract in Cambodia.
The 5,150-bhp anchor handling tug supply vessel VOS Atlas (built 2012) has started work for an unnamed domestic company.
