Topaz acquires two modern anchor handling vessels
Topaz Energy and Marine, a leading offshore support vessel company with primary operations in the Middle East and Caspian, today announces the acquisition of two large and modern Anchor Handling Towage and Supply Vessels (AHTSV) at a purchase price of in excess of US$ 100 million, the company said in its press release.
The vessels, the Caspian Challenger and the Caspian Endeavour, are sister vessels built by Kleven Maritime in Norway in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The vessels are equipped with dynamic positioning DP2, automated safe anchor handing capabilities and are currently the most powerful vessels operating in the Caspian basin at 17,200 BHP and 190 tonnes bollard pull. The vessels are wholly capable of deep-water work anywhere in Topaz’s current global footprint and in general.
The vessels have been operating as part of Topaz’s Caspian fleet on a bareboat agreement and are currently serving a long-term contract with BP in Azerbaijan. The vessels are supporting operations in the Azerbaijan offshore fields of ACG and Shah Deniz performing specialty project work, major rig moves, anchor repositioning and logistical support.
René Kofod-Olsen, CEO, Topaz Energy and Marine, said:
“These vessels have proved themselves as high performers in our fleet. As such, it was a logical extension of our agreement with the owner to preemptively exercise our purchase option and make them a permanent part of our fleet at what we believe is an attractive valuation. These vessels will benefit Topaz and our clients within and outside the Caspian Sea immensely.”
Topaz’s fleet size in the Azerbaijani waters of the Caspian is currently 25 vessels. This will rise to 26 when the 4,000 DWT Platform Supply Vessel ‘Caspian Voyager’ joins the fleet in the second quarter of 2014. Topaz operates in the Caspian Sea through its subsidiary BUE Marine, with unrivalled experience of operating offshore support vessels for some of the world’s leading energy companies.
About Topaz Energy and Marine
Topaz Energy and Marine is a leading offshore support vessel company providing marine solutions to the global energy industry with primary focus on the Middle East and the Caspian Sea. Headquartered in Dubai with 40 years of experience in the Middle East, Topaz operates a fleet of more than 90 offshore support vessels of an average age of 7 years. Topaz is a wholly owned subsidiary of Renaissance Services SAOG, a publicly traded company on the Muscat Securities Market, Oman.
