Astro Offshore teams up with Oceaneering to address European market

The agreement is a significant step in APSEZ’s expansion into deepwater operations and international markets, and its strategy to build what it describes as ‘one of the world’s largest integrated marine platforms.’

APSEZ, India’s largest private port operator, is pursuing the relationship with Oceaneering through Astro Offshore, which recently acquired Astro Atlas, the former Energy Savannah, its first deepwater vessel. In the longer term, it plans to invest in more high-spec vessels with advanced capabilities. 

Astro Atlas, a 2021-built 97-m DP2 multipurpose support vessel has a 150-tonne subsea AHC crane, 25-tonne secondary crane, moonpool and accommodation for up to 100 people. The vessel is designed to support a wide range of offshore operations, including subsea construction, cable laying and pipeline installation. Able to operate in water depths of more than 3,000 m, Astro Atlas will enable Astro Offshore to enter the ultra-deepwater segment, unlocking access to more complex, high-value offshore projects. 

APSEZ chief executive Ashwani Gupta said, “This development supports APSEZ’s ambition to build a globally diversified marine platform. By combining Astro Offshore’s expanding high-specification fleet with Oceaneering’s deepwater engineering and ROV expertise, we are enhancing our capabilities in complex offshore operations while expanding into Europe.”

Astro Offshore chief executive Mark Humphreys said, “The introduction of Astro Atlas significantly enhances our operational capability and underscores our continued investment in a modern, high-spec fleet, particularly in ultra-deepwater environments. As our largest and most capable vessel to date, Astro Atlas enables us to support a wider range of offshore operations and respond more effectively to evolving client requirements.”

As part of a long-term roadmap, the company is targeting a 200-vessel fleet, marine revenues of more than US$600M and capex of US$1.3Bn by FY31.