Maersk Supply Service Completes Tow Of Semi-Submersible

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 part call in Port Louis, Mauritius before crossing the Indian Ocean to join Quadrant Energy's Phoenix South and Van Gogh drilling campaign off the coast of North—Western Australia. The total journey was 10,230 NM 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. With the 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.

"Our new-build vessels are designed to maximise fuel economy and be flexible in the way they use power. However, there is always more that can be done during any operation to ensure fuel consumption is kept to a minimum. That is why we scrutinise all operational plans to make sure we optimise work scopes with our customers and ensure lower speed is used when timelines allow," says David Kearney, Managing Director and Operations Manager Asia-Pacific, Maersk Supply Service.

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.

About Maersk Supply Service
Maersk Supply Service provides marine services and integrated solutions to the energy sector worldwide. Maersk Supply Service is the market leader in deep-water services such as anchor handling in ultra-deep water, mooring installations, rig moves and transport of equipment to drilling rigs and production units.

Maersk Supply Service employs an international staff of around 1100 offshore and 200 onshore people. Headquartered in Lyngby, Denmark, Maersk Supply Service is represented globally with offices in Aberdeen, Houston, St. John's, Rio de Janeiro, Accra, Lagos, Luanda, Singapore and Perth.

Maersk Supply Service is a part of the stand-alone Energy division of A.P. Møller— Mærsk A/S. A.P. Møller — Maersk A/S employs roughly 88,000 employees across operations in 130 countries.

For more information, visit www.maersksupplyservice.com.