PSV spot rates refused to budge despite a rush of requirements Friday morning.

A gap in the weather and a need for boats as rigs come to the end of contracts brought charterers to the market, but with limited results, brokers say.

Maersk Oil has hired the 3,100-dwt FD Incredible (built 2007) for a cargo run plus options at £2,500 daily, slightly down on recent fixtures.

Nexen has picked up the 4,000-dwt UP Safira (built 2005) for 21 days plus further options on private and confidential terms. Brokers say the vessel is likely to be earning around £4,000 daily.

Both Statoil and BP Norway wasted little time in fixing their respective requirements.

Statoil is paying around NOK 60,000 (£6,665) daily for the 4,800-dwt Island Patriot (built 2005) for up to 14 days, continuing the trend of comparatively stronger rates on the Norwegian side.

BP is paying around NOK 55,000 daily to take the 3,600-dwt Aries Warrior (built 2008) for around a week.

On the anchor handler side fresh requirements are also expected to be covered at low rates due to the glut of tonnage available.