AUGUST 27, 2013—Spanish shipbuilder Zamakona Yards Group recently launched the 67m Field Support Vessel Ocean Osprey at its facilities in Pasajes.

The Ocean Osprey is the first of three Field Support Vessels (FSVs) being built by that Zamakona for Norway’s Atlantic Offshore AS. The ship's main mission will be emergency response for offshore oil rigs operating in the North Sea. The Ocean Osprey is expected to begin operations in the North Sea for Shell UK in early 2014 under a contract that lasts five years.

The shipbuilding contract is part of a modernization program at Atlantic Offshore. The company has recently signed agreements for a total of nine new vessels, four of which have already been delivered. Atlantic Offshore’s fleet consists of a total of 24 ships, of which 19 are company-owned, and five are managed.

Overall, Atlantic Offshore has invested NOK 2.2 billion ($365.4 million) in fleet renewal, and the newbuildings under construction at Zamakona will include about 40% contract participation from Norwegian subcontractors.

The Ocean Osprey is based on an HY820 Havyard design. With an estimated price of EUR 25 million ($33.46 million), the FSV incorporates the latest technologies including deck systems for towing operations with a pulling capacity of 65 tons. With a length of 66.80 meters and a beam of 16 meters, it is able to rescue up to 300 people. Propulsion power is supplied by two 1,930 kW MAN Diesel main engines.

Zamakona Yards Group has facilities in Santurtzi (Vizcaya), Pasajes (Guipúzcoa) and Las Palmas of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), with over 41 years of experience in shipbuilding and repairs of all types of vessels, specializing in offshore vessels, fishing boats and tugs.