Arctic Oil: Bourbon to Enter Arctic Market in 2016

Bourbon plans to enter the growing Arctic Offshore market in 2016 with a new Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel built by the Vard shipyard.

This AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply) was specially designed for operations in polar waters, and more specifically in arctic zones, where we know that there is a huge potential for development, and the new vessel is the signal that the company is adjusting its range of services to meet the requirements of clients and the changing offshore market.

The new vessel will be 93.6 m long with a bollard pull of 280 t and deck equipment supplied by Rolls-Royce (winches, cranes, etc.). The Bourbon Arctic will be in a position to perform anchor handling and towing operations for oil rigs located even in the remotes oil fields. With its design suited to extreme weather conditions and a reinforced hull classed Ice-1A, this vessel will be set to operate in even the most demanding situations.

"With its technical specifications suited to the deep offshore market, the Bourbon Arctic will allow us to complement our range of services," said Rodolphe Bouchet, VP, Business Management Marine Services.

Upon delivery, it will be ranked as the most powerful vessel in the Bourbon fleet.

The shipmanager of this new-generation AHTS will be Bourbon Offshore Norway, which is already responsible for the two most powerful AHTS in the group's fleet, the Bourbon Surf and the Bourbon Borgstein.