The changes followed a busy period at Mjellem & Karlsen Verft in which four seismic ships were converted and a seismic newbuilding delivered.

Large sums have been invested in restructuring and modernising the now modern shipyard in the last few years and in concentrating its activities in Bergen's Marineholmen.

The M&K Group said: the new owners have expressed a strong intention to continue and to strengthen the strategies of the companies in the Group.

The present management and organisation will be continued, and it will be business as usual - but with a stronger basis for development of the group'.

Late April, Mjellem & Karlsen Verft delivered the 8,180gt seismic ship newbuilding Veritas Vantage to Norwegian owner Eidesvik Supply. The ship, which can tow 10 streamers each 8,000m in length, is like the Veritas Viking and Veritas Viking II, built for the same owner in 1998 and 1999.

The newest ship is 93.35m long overall and 22m wide.

Classification is DnV +1A1, SF, EO, HELD and the vessel, which accomodates up to 61 people, was for charter and operation by Veritas DGC in the US.

The yard has also just completed the extensive conversions of four seismic vessels: Seisquest, Seisranger, Thales Venturer and Western Neptune.

The latter, completed in February, is Western Geco's highest capacity Q-Marine seismic survey vessel. Her conversion involved enhancement of streamer and vessel capacity to bring her into line with the company's other ships.