“This is an exciting contract for us and vessel protection is an area of increasing concern. The escort vessel offers 24/7 protection to commercial vessels passing through high risk areas.
“It can establish the intent of crafts in the vicinity of the commercial vessel and intercept if needed. This safety cordon around the client vessel helps to protect it from potential criminal activity.” -BSL, managing director, Rennie Cameron
Congrats to all of the parties involved with this contract. Hopefully these vessels do the trick for escort work? The other part of this deal is what they have planned for the future.
Plans are already in place to consider expanding with BSL as ship managers, to four or five vessels in 2012, which would lead to a turnover of around £7.5 to £9.5million per annum.
Now I have yet to hear any recent news about JLT’s private navy deal, but it looks like these guys are certainly spinning up their own little armada and pressing forward? –Matt
SeaHold GEOSHIPS subsidiary wins contract for anti-piracy vessel
November 22, 2011
SeaHold GEOSHIPS Ltd’s subsidiary company Brooking Shipping Limited (BSL), has been awarded a contract for an ‘escort vessel’ which is anticipated to generate £1.9 million each year.
This is the first contract BSL has been awarded since being acquired by the shipping and marine contractor, GEOSHIPS.
BSL, the marine division of GEOSHIPS, has been appointed the escort vessel contract by Mercator International Limited, for the technical and crew management of the new build 36m vessel, Express Opportune, a fast support intervention vessel capable of 25 knots and specifically prepared for the anti-piracy role.
BSL took delivery of the vessel in Singapore and the contract is initially for six months with automatic extensions. The work will primarily be in support of commercial ships transiting the Arabian Gulf and East Africa areas.
Escort vessels act as a visible threat deterrent and enforce an exclusion zone around a commercial vessel. They also provide specialist security teams trained in the use of fast intercept craft and counter boarding operations.
For the initial six months, the value of the contract to the company is worth over £1million and a Letter of Intent has been received for a second escort vessel to operate in similar geographical regions.
GEOSHIPS, group chief financial officer, Neil Donald, said: “I am delighted that Brooklyn Shipping Ltd has secured its first contract under the GEOSHIPS umbrella and is diversifying its skills out with the oil and gas industry.
“Entering into this contract reinforces the firm’s continued commitment to optimising safety for crews. This type of vessel allows operators to take advantage of business in new areas that were previously considered too high risk to enter.”
BSL, managing director, Rennie Cameron, said: “This is an exciting contract for us and vessel protection is an area of increasing concern. The escort vessel offers 24/7 protection to commercial vessels passing through high risk areas.
“It can establish the intent of crafts in the vicinity of the commercial vessel and intercept if needed. This safety cordon around the client vessel helps to protect it from potential criminal activity.”
Plans are already in place to consider expanding with BSL as ship managers, to four or five vessels in 2012, which would lead to a turnover of around £7.5 to £9.5million per annum.
GEOSHIPS current fleet of three multi-purpose offshore vessels includes its first vessel Stril Explorer, which was taken on an 18 month charter earlier this year, and two new vessels, Loch Erisort and Loch Roag, which are on long term charters and will be delivered during 2012.
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ESCORT VESSELS
Escorts can be provided for vessels transiting high risk areas or those engaged in specialist operations such as cable laying, rig moves and surveying. Escorts can be a platform for accommodation, maintenance and as a base for protection. The advantage of an escort vessel is the ability to intercept and determine the intent of approaching craft. This creates a cordon around the client vessel enabling it to operate safe from the risk of attack. It can also provide an early warning of benign craft such as fishing vessels and nets. Potential threats can be identified early and with the vessels clearly visable protection and trained security personnel onboardis often itself an effective deterrent against piracy and criminal activity.