The North Sea offshore vessel sector continues to see healthier rates as charterers secure spot and term tonnage.
The prompt charter market for anchor-handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels in Norway has now sold out from 20 March, according to Norwegian shipbroker Westshore.
The large Solstad Offshore 32,600-bhp Normand Drott (built 2010) has secured £72,500 ($94,900) per day from Shell in the UK for 14 days of work on the Ocean Endeavour rig move.
Norway’s Equinor has taken four vessels for the Askepott move at unreported rates.
Charterers are also out in the market for two more rig moves this month.
There are just two Maersk Supply Service ships free in the UK.
On the platform supply vessel (PSV) side, Norway’s Golden Energy Offshore Services (GEOS) has reactivated a ship laid up when markets crashed during the pandemic 16 months ago.
The 3,300-dwt Energy Scout (built 2005) has secured an unspecified term contract from a “first-class international operator”, the company said.
The ship is described as having been in warm lay-up, meaning it can be brought back into service more quickly.
Work will cover survey, geotechnical and geophysical, and inspection, maintenance and repair duties.
Westshore lists 18 PSVs still stacked in North Sea ports.
GEOS said it has now secured term contracts for all four of its ships, with utilisation set to be well over 90% through to the fourth quarter in an improving market
Current PSV spot rates are £17,500 per day.
