TALISMAN Energy has chosen Aberdeen-based Craig Group’s latest new-build vessels to support operations in its northern business area in the UK North Sea.
The long-term charter will create 54 jobs at Craig Group.
The two IMT 948 designed vessels, being built at the Balenciaga shipyard in northern Spain, will go on long-term charter next year to provide emergency-response and rescue services for the Piper B, Saltire, Tartan and Claymore installations.
These latest vessels are part of a £130million investment programme in Craig’s North Star Shipping fleet which began in 2003. It is said to represent the largest investment in North Sea emergency-response and rescue vessels by a British company.
On delivery next year, the two vessels will bring the number of new-builds in the North Star fleet to 12. North Star says it now owns and operates one of the most modern and the largest British-owned fleet of offshore support, remotely-operated vehicle survey and emergency-response and rescue vessels in the UK.
The Talisman charter, for five years with five one-year options, is the 12th new contract for North Star since the investment programme began. Managing director Callum Bruce said: “We are delighted to have won this new contract with Talisman, which already has two identical sister vessels on long-term contract.
“We have now secured long-term charters for all our new vessels delivered so far, justifying our confidence in both the market and our customers’ appetite for modern, high-quality and cost-effective tonnage.”
The new vessels, still to be named, were designed by IMT, of Montrose.
Recommended for you
