Friday 13 July 2018

Maersk Supply Service has successfully completed the tow of a semi-submersible from Las Palmas to North-Western Australia. The tow was carried out by new-build Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel Maersk Master of the Starfish series, whose energy efficient design minimised fuel costs during transit.

The first leg of the tow of the semi-submersible MODU rig was direct from Las Palmas to Cape Town. Maersk Master and the rig then rounded the Cape of Good Hope for a final port call in Port Louis, Mauritius before crossing the Indian Ocean to join Quadrant Energy's Phoenix South and Van Gogh drilling campaign off teh coast of North-Western Australia. The total journey was 10,230NM for a total of 87 towing days.

Efficiency and flexibility

Design features of Maersk Master and her sister vessels of the Starfish series, including a fuel efficient and flexible hybrid propulsion system, enabled fuel consumption and associated costs to be minimised throughout the tow. Witht he vessel's high capacity, Maersk Master was able to accommodate the complete rig mooring system onboard, minimising rig draft, as well as optimise bunker costs along the journey by retaining maximum bunker of 2300t.

Continued support on location

Since arriving at the Phoenix South and Van Gogh drilling campaign, Maersk Master has continued to support the semi-submersible with supply and anchor handling duties, alongside sister vessel Maersk Mariner. Both vessels are supporting the campaign, which initially covers three wells.