Shell UK has chartered three anchor-handling tug support (AHTS) vessels from Swedish offshore support ships operator Viking Supply Ships.

According to data on Viking Supply Ships’ website, the vessels will be used for repositioning and mobilization of Diamond Offshore’s semi-submersible drilling rig, the Ocean Patriot, which is under contract with Shell until October 2017.

Viking Supply’s Tor Viking II was hired at a rate of £18,000 ($23,400) per day while the slightly more powerful vessels, the Loke Viking and Njord Viking, were hired at a daily rate of £21,000 ($27,300).

All three vessels have been hired for a 14-day period and they are expected to be free on September 30. They are currently in the Port of Montrose and will start their work on Friday, September 23.

Data from Westshore Shipbrokers suggests that the dayrates are above the average spot rate for AHTSs of over 18,000 bhp recorded in September. September rates for such vessels stand at £17,714 while average rates in August stood at £18,988 per day.

The new charters will provide a necessary financial boost to the cash-strapped company. To remind, Viking Supply Ships has had a turbulent few months which saw the company go to and evade bankruptcy court, finalize an in-principle agreement with banks regarding the company’s revised long-term financial platform, and reach a deal with bondholders last week over bond restructuring after months of negotiations.

Source: www.offshoreenergytoday.com