Snapping up platform supply vessels “at the right price” is much more difficult now because of the infusion of positive sentiment into the offshore sector after years of the severe downturn, according to SD Standard Drilling chairman Martin Nes.

Oslo-listed shipowner Standard Drilling gained its name by starting out with rig investments in 2010 but sold off all seven of its newbuilding contracts, with large gains, at least a year before the offshore crisis hit 2014.