Glasgow-based subsea specialist Sulmara has sealed a chartered-in deal with Norwegian owner Atlantic Offshore for an emergency response rescue vessel (ERRV), which will be refitted for work in the offshore renewables sector.
The 2014-built Ocean Marlin has been secured on a three-year charter under which Sulmara will carry out a multi-million-pound upgrade to the vessel before it enters service on projects across Europe, most likely in late Q1 2024.
“This deal is a step change for Sulmara as we continue to challenge conventions and find new ways of working to increase our capabilities, said Kevin McBarron, chief executive at Sulmara.
McBarron noted that although Sulmara had proven the capabilities of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) in the offshore survey space, the company recognised the technology’s current limitations.
“USVs are not the answer to all of our clients’ needs and there is still a place for conventional ships. In partnering with Atlantic Offshore, we can bring a vessel that is as fuel efficient and environmentally friendly as possible to the market. We had opportunities to charter older, less efficient vessels, but for our first long-term charter vessel, that does not align with our company vision, and we wanted to make the right choice,” he explained.
Sulmara was set up in 2019 and has grown rapidly, with more than 180 employees across the Americas, Europe and Asia. The company recently teamed up with Greece-based offshore contractor Asso.subsea to work together across the world, including in North Sea, Baltic and Mediterranean operations.
