P&O Maritime Logistics has secured two contracts for its multifunctional module carrier vessel (MCV) Topaz Amur to transport project cargo and offshore windfarm equipment
In the first project, Topaz Amur will transport oversized cargoes along open seas and inland waterways, transporting large modules, reactors, pressure vessels, distillation columns, cooling units, power turbine components and other breakbulk cargo.
P&O Maritime Logistics’ second contract is in continuation of its partnership with Danish transport and logistics solutions provider Blue Water Shipping. Topaz Amur will transport windfarm equipment across the North Sea from Esbjerg, Denmark, to the Alexandra Dock in Hull, UK.
These agreements come after Topaz Amur transported out-of-gauge project cargo for three years for Tengizchevroil (TCO)’s expansion of the Tengiz oil field facilities in Kazakhstan.
Topaz Amur has transported project cargo from the Baltic and Black seas to the Caspian Sea, navigating the complex and shallow Russian inland waterways.
P&O Maritime Logistics chief commercial officer Robert Desai said these are the first commercial bookings for Topaz Amur since completing its long-term contract with TCO.
“It is a testament to the flexibility of the design of the MCVs,” he said. “In order to be successful in this segment, we have adopted an approach of developing partnership models with complementary service providers to ensure we deliver tailored end-to-end solutions to the ultimate customer, as we have done in this case,” Mr Desai said. “Always with a focus on safe, reliable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective cargo deliveries.”
Mr Desai said its trans-North Sea windfarm equipment transportation contract “further strengthens P&O Maritime’s renewable energy credentials” with several vessels already operating in the offshore renewables sector globally.
Future target cargoes for P&O Maritime in the windfarm sector include diverse components varying from heavy monopile foundations, tower sections and large nacelles to long offshore turbine blades.
Over the next 12 months, P&O Maritime will significantly increase its presence in the breakbulk market, as Topaz Amur is joined by several sister vessels, already transporting project cargo for TCO.
These MCVs have low fuel consumption due to diesel-electric propulsion, enabling charterers to reduce their carbon footprint in logistics.
P&O Maritime anticipates trading areas for these MCVs will include the Black Sea, Caspian and Russian rivers out to the North Sea, Mediterranean and Baltic regions.
Dubai-headquartered P&O Maritime Logistics provides marine solutions with a focus on offshore energy, port services and logistics. It owns and operates around 400 vessels and provides a wide portfolio of value-added marine services.
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