Charters worth just over 380 million covering two supply and anchorhandling ships for the Snøhvit development have been placed by operator Statoil with two Norwegian shipowners.
A five-year contract awarded to Eidesvik Shipping relates to the Viking Avant newbuilding and includes two renewal options of one year each.
This vessel is under construction by the mid-Norwegian Aker Langsten yard in Tomrefjord, with delivery due in October. Most of its equipment comes from Norwegian companies.
“Viking Avant will be used initially as a supply and stand-by ship for Polar Pioneer during the drilling of wells on Snøhvit,” explains sector manager Terje Breivik in Statoil.
The charter for Olympic covers the Olympic Poseidon ship and runs for 18 months.
This vessel will provide anchorhandling, support and supply services relating to drilling on Snøhvit.
Both ships feature good safety and environmental solutions. The new catalytic converters on Viking Avant will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 per cent.