First Groen Offshore's Damen Twin Axe FCS 2610 named MEREL-G
Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam have a decade-long relationship with the family-run Groen Offshore, Guard & Support, having built seismic research vessels and completing a majority of their repairs in the past. On 17 July, the two parties were united again in an event marking the naming of the newly purchased Damen Twin Axe Fast Crew Supplier 2610 to be customised with offshore oil and gas standby capabilities, the Dutch shipbuilder said in a press release.
Named after the 10-year old granddaughter of Groen’s Managing Director, the official handover of the Merel-G took place on 24 July after which the vessel will be deployed on long-term charter for a major E&P operator in the Danish part of the North Sea. The combination of superior seakeeping and the position of the wheelhouse result in the highest possible level of operability for the first Twin Axe FCS that will work in the oil and gas industry as opposed to offshore wind.
Groen Offshore, Guard & Support has over 40 years of experience in the offshore industry. Founded in 1973, with three vessels for the sport fishing and recreation business in the North Sea, Groen transitioned to the offshore industry in 1980 and is now specialised in guard and seismic support vessels – five of which were built at Maaskant. Operations were initially exclusive to the North Sea but have now expanded worldwide with a modern fleet of 27 vessels and 37-chartered vessels.