An offshore support vessel, a dredger and a landing craft comprise a slew of recent successfully completed vessel repositioning passages for Dutch marine logistics firm Redwise.
The deliveries cement the company's position as a premier provider of vessel management and delivery services, and continue the firm's prosperous order book.
Offshore support vessel 'Ocean Star'
The newly built OSV 'Ocean Star' departed from a Guangzhou yard in Southern China in mid-May, heading for her new homeport in Dos Bocas, Mexico. The route took the vessel via a great circle route across the Pacific Ocean to the Panama Canal.
The 'Ocean Star' safely arrived in Mexico, at the Caribbean side, in late July, following a maiden voyage spanning over 10,676 nautical miles.
Dredger 'Sand Weaver'
Built in 1975, the well-maintained and sturdy dredger 'Sand Weaver' recently departed from the United Kingdom port of Swansea, en route to the Middle East. The departure occurred following several days of vessel and voyage preparations, including flag changes and associated surveys.
The chosen routing for the vessel took it to its final destination via the Suez Canal. Because of this choice of passage, routine hardening and security arrangements had to be carried out, especially for the leg of the journey following the vessel's clearance of the Suez Canal. After exiting the canal, the 'Sand Weaver' would require assistance to ensure safe and secure passage through the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Gulf and parts of the Indian Ocean notorious for piracy.
These routine safety and security measures were successfully carried out, and after 31 days of sailing time, the 'Sand Weaver' was safely handed over to her new operators at the Port of Bahrain.
Landing craft 'Esnaad 1010'
The newly finished landing craft 'Esnaad 1010', with a GRT of 1,334 tonnes and an installed propulsion power of 1,264kW, was successfully delivered from the Sealink Yard at Miri, Malaysia, to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The delivery was the vessel's maiden voyage and safe passage occurred despite the added hazard of the journey occurring during the region's annual monsoon season.
To date, Redwise has consulted and arranged for the management and repositioning of several dozen vessels this year, including tugs (some under tow), dredgers, OSVs, anchor handlers, and even a reefer. Currently, eight vessels are either in transit or in the process of getting underway – bound for various destinations around the world.
The company's 2013 success is a continuation of a very good year in 2012. Last year, Redwise successfully delivered over 50 vessels to new owners and operators located globally. Among these transport projects included the delivery of 30 new builds spanning a diverse range of vessel types, and the mobilisation of 24 existing tonnages. Together, these vessels completed Redwise's track record of 54 vessel deliveries for a total voyage distance of over 350,000 nautical miles.
In the first month of 2013, six vessels comprising three tug new builds, one tug and tow, and two dredger new builds, were mobilised and delivered under the management of Redwise.