Britoil Offshore Services to add six AHT newbuilds to growing fleet

Britoil Offshore Services (BOS) has contracted six anchor handling tug (AHT) vessels to be built at China’s Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard. The contract contains options to build an additional two vessels.

According to the Singaporean OSV owner, these 45-m, 80-tonne+ bollard pull AHTs will be fit for purpose and specifically designed to meet the demanding conditions of offshore work, with enhanced propulsion systems, refined hull designs and increased fuel-carrying capacities.

In a press statement, BOS said the newbuilding programme was “a strategic move to renew our fleet through a modern and enhanced evolution of the older Britoil AHTs.”

Backed by funding from HICO Investment Group and Pérez y Cía, BOS has been rapidly growing its fleet, including the acquisition of Vroon Offshore Services in 2023. Prior to this newbuilding programme, the BOS fleet included more than 60 offshore support vessels, including some 21 AHTs, 27 anchor handling tug supply vessels, and 14 platform supply vessels and multi-purpose supply vessels.