MARCH 14, 2013 — Norway's Bergen Group Fosen shipyard has signed a contract with NFDS Offshore 1 AS for outfitting and commissioning a newbuild anchor handling tug supply vessel (AHTS). The vessel is a VS 491 CD design with a length of 91 m and beam of 22 m.

The contract is valued at more than NOK 600 million (about $105 million) and includes an option for outfitting and commissioning of a similar vessel.

The hull, which has already been built by Chinese shipbuilder Nantong Mingde Heavy Industries, is expected to arrive in Fosen late in the second quarter of this year. Delivery of the fully commissioned and operational ship from Fosen is set for the end of the second quarter of 2014.

NFDS Offshore 1 AS is a subsidiary of Det Nordenfjeldske Dampskibsselskap AS, a company in which BOA Offshore holds the majority share.

Bergen Group Fosen now has an order book that provides it with stable outfitting activity until second quarter 2015, with two newbuilding deliveries in 2013 (both cruise ferries to Fjord Line) two deliveries in 2014 (OCV for Volstad and AHTS to NFDS/BOA) and a delivery in the first half of 2015 (OCV for Volstad).

"Bergen Group Fosen has the last year been through a very demanding period. Still, the shipyard has managed to establish a record high order book that ensures a solid and continuous employment over the next two years. This allows us to implement an efficient, stable and profitable production in the coming years," says CEO Anders Straumsheim.