Russian work is providing some relief for owners of offshore support vessels hit by terrible North Sea markets.

The summer drilling season in Russia is fast approaching and a "raft" of UK and Norway-based ships have been chartered to work in the Arctic, Norwegian broker Seabrokers said.

They will operate alongside some additional Russian-owned vessels.

Russian shipowner Femco has awarded 80-day firm contracts to Viking Supply Ships for its 19,034-bp anchor handling tug supply vessel Magne Viking (built 2011) and to two Rem Offshore platform supply vessels — the...