AET and Norwegian Statoil announced that they are extending their partnership in the North Sea shuttle tanker sector. Statoil has awarded a long-term contract to AET, a subsidiary of Malaysian energy shipping group, MISC Berhad, to own and operate two DP2 Offshore Loading Shuttle Tankers (OLSTs). When in operation from 2019, the two vessels are expected to be the world’s first LNG fuelled DPSTs.
The two twin skeg 125,000dwt tankers will be built by Samsung Heavy Industries for delivery in 2019 and will be contracted to Statoil for operations both in oilfields on the Norwegian Continental Shelf of the North Sea, Norwegian Sea and the southern Barents Sea, as well as on the UK Continental Shelf.
According to the companies’ join statement, the vessels will have a fatigue life based on 30 years of operations in the North Sea and will be fully capable of working in the harshest weather conditions. Each will be equipped with winterisation features, high power thrusters, shaft generators and advanced bow loading system.
Moreover, with a focus on energy efficiency, the shuttle tankers will be built with LNG dual fuel for main and auxiliary engines and also an option to be fitted with a Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) recovery system. Other environmental innovations will maximise fuel efficiency and minimise emissions.
“The fuel efficiency features built into these vessels, including LNG dual fuel capabilities, will significantly reduce operational costs and climate emissions. As such this contract is strongly aligned with Statoil’s sharpened strategy”, said Statoil’s Senior Vice President for Asset Management in Marketing, Midstream and Processing, Grete Birgitte Haaland.
The vessels are in addition to the two AET DP2 ships currently on charter in the same area for Statoil. The two existing DP2 tankers are owned and operated by AET Sea Shuttle AS (AETSS), a joint venture company formed in 2012 that is also 95% owned by AET and 5% by Norwegian ADS Shipping.
OSM Maritime Group will provide the lead technical management, supported by the MISC Group, during the construction of the vessels.
