Seacat invests to meet forecast industry growth
UK-based offshore energy crew transfer vessel operator Seacat Services has placed an order worth £6 million with Isle of Wight based boat builder South Boats IOW for two DNV-GL class-certified next generation 24m catamarans.
While new offshore windfarm construction is set to slow during 2015 as a number of sites reach completion, throughout 2016 installation activity is projected to steadily increase and, in 2017, a significant uptick is anticipated as numerous large projects get underway. Concurrently, demand for larger, more versatile crew transfer vessels to service deep water developments in Germany, Denmark the Netherlands, Belgium and soon France will continue to grow steadily as the industry expands.
In order to cater for this expected spike in demand for high-quality support vessels, Seacat Services has committed to extending an ambitious build programme with South Boats that has already seen the launch of eight catamarans, each building on the standards set by the last.
With Seacat Courageous – the firm’s second 26m tank-tested OESV – currently in build and due for launch in mid-February this year, the two new 24m catamarans, named Seacat Mischief and Seacat Magic, are scheduled for launch in October 2015 and January 2016 respectively.
By Jake Frith
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