HARLINGEN – Having signed a newbuilding order for two Damen Fast Crew Suppliers (FCS) 2610, Harlingen-based SeaZip Offshore Service BV will expand the number of specialised service vessels in its fleet to a total of six. Even further expansion is anticipated, considering the explosive growth which the offshore wind market is experiencing. The vessels that have been ordered now and are yet to be built are expected to be delivered in March 2016 and will primarily be deployed in the building, operation and maintenance of large-scale wind farms in the North Sea.
Since 2012, SeaZip Offshore Service has operated vessels for the support of the international offshore wind industry. Its first four vessels were well received by the market. SeaZip 1, 2 and 3 have been chartered out almost continually to leading international parties in the offshore wind industry. The high-performance vessels and ship management managed to attract the attention of the offshore oil and gas industry. This summer, Heerema Marine Contractors – the world’s market leader in transporting, installing and dismantling offshore oil and gas installations – contracted SeaZip 4.
Increasing demand for service vessels
Mr Jan Reier Arends, Member of the Management Board of SeaZip Offshore Service, said: “This first working relationship with the international offshore oil and gas industry is exceeding our expectations and considerably increases the operating prospects of our fleet in the making. Of course, we will seize any opportunities in this industry with both hands, but our focus will continue to be on Operations & Maintenance for the offshore wind farm market. In that market, we see the demand for swift and reliable service vessels virtually increasing every day.”
