A quartet of four fuel-efficient emergency response and rescue vessels (ERRVs) operated by Vroon Offshore Services (VOS) Ltd in the North Sea have secured a three-year contract extension with BP worth around £30M (US$38.4M)
One of the largest providers of ERRVs in the North Sea, VOS Aberdeen will continue its exclusive provision of four vessels, VOS Discovery, VOS Fairness, VOS Innovator and VOS Vigilant, to support BP’s North Sea and West of Shetland assets until 2023.
The extended contract will guarantee continuity in delivering standby cover for BP’s offshore workers and secure the jobs of around 100 Vroon seafarers.
VOS Aberdeen managing director Craig Harvie said, “With BP’s commendable and ambitious targets to become net-zero by 2050, we are pleased to be able to support them with our extremely fuel-efficient vessels, many of which have diesel-electric power generation that significantly reduces their carbon footprint.”
Three of the four ERRVs are diesel-electric, with only 2014-built VOS Fairness equipped with mechanical diesel propulsion. With two Caterpillar main diesel engines, VOS Fairness consumes about 8 tonnes of fuel per day at a maximum speed of 12 knots and 6 tonnes at an economical speed of 10 knots.
By contrast, VOS Innovator’s four Cat C18 diesel generators consume about 5.5 tonnes of fuel per day at 12.5 knots, with further reductions to 3 tonnes per day at an economic speed of 10 knots, according to the vessel’s specifications. Burning less fuel equates to producing lower greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions.
“Sustainability and carbon reduction are key considerations for our customers’ future needs and we are proud to be able to meet these,” said Mr Harvie.
A Vroon spokesperson said the company was investigating the feasibility of battery hybrid systems for potential future operations.
Operating a fleet of 38 ERRVs out of Aberdeen, VOS Aberdeen employs 50 people onshore and 1,000 seafarers.
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