Switzerland-headquartered geotechnical data acquisition firm Geoquip Marine (Geoquip) has added a seventh vessel to its fleet portfolio as part of an expansion drive under the newly appointed CEO, Rune Olav Pedersen.
The Geoquip Silvretta, originally built as a platform supply vessel by Green Yard Kleven (Green Yard), is being converted in Norway into a state-of-the-art geotechnical services platform for the offshore energy sector, the company said.
The conversion, scheduled for completion in spring 2025, will include the installation of Geoquip’s largest drilling rig, the GMTR150.
Once the upgrade is complete, the Geoquip Silvretta will mobilise for a project in northern Europe, ready to tackle any challenging metocean conditions.
The Geoquip fleet’s newest addition, was built as a DP2 vessel and no changes are planned to the propulsion, main components or machinery.
However, Green Yard will work with the vessel’s original designer, Marin Teknikk AS, to customise the interior for Geoquip’s global projects, according to Geoquip, a Njord Partners’ portfolio company.
These upgrades will include installing a moonpool, moving and adding cranes, extending the shelter deck, increasing office and meeting space, and building a new accommodation block.
Rune Olav Pedersen, who is set to become Geoquip’s new CEO from January 1, said: “Expanding our fleet with this new vessel, complete with our flagship GMTR150 drilling rig, gives Geoquip even more capacity to deliver high-quality site investigations in varied weather conditions.
“We’re also pleased to have awarded the conversion project to Green Yard, a full-service shipyard with sustainability high on their agenda.”
The newly appointed chief executive officer Rune, which takes over from outgoing CEO Richard Turner, who has accepted a role closer to his family in the UK, also commented: “The Geoquip team can look forward to working on a vessel that’s been purpose-built for offshore site investigations, and which will include a new accommodation block, ample office and meeting facilities, and an offshore laboratory to gather fast and accurate data for clients.”
