For many years Franck Gibone worked in the West African oil market for a publicly traded service company, where “investor return” - may it be by pushing rates up in a high cycle or cutting costs in a low market to maximize profits for the shareholders - was paramount. This conventional approach and lack of creativity in developing a business were among the contributing factors in his decision to join in 2019, the Perenco Group, a family-owned and managed company in France. “A world of difference”, he states.
For decades, wind has been of particular significance for Wagenborg. Wind was used to sail all different corners of the world. But as the world changed, so did our relationship with the wind. In current times we no longer depend on the wind to transport our cargo. Instead, we now offer logistical solutions to those who do still depend on wind, for instance, to generate sustainable energy.
For many years Wagenborg Foxdrill has been a trustworthy partner of the Italian offshore firm Saipem. Having worked together on a variety of drilling asset related projects in all corners of the world, a solid relationship has been formed between both companies. This partnerships continues after an enquiry from Saipem’s Offshore Drilling team early 2019: the Saipem 12000, a 6th Generation ultradeepwater drill ship, was due for a Special Periodic Survey and required specialised support. We talk to project manager Bart Oude Ophuis about this project.
The champagne bottle had just shattered on the bow of the Kasteelborg when we talked to NAM director Johan Atema and Egbert Vuursteen, standing proudly side by side. Egbert Vuursteen tells us about the successful naming ceremony for Wagenborg’s second walk-to-work vessel for NAM/Shell. “Today is another highlight in the close, constructive relationship between NAM and Shell on the one hand and Royal Wagenborg on the other.”
After a tender procedure, Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) and Shell UK Exploration & Production (Shell UK) have signed a contract with Wagenborg Offshore for the deployment of a second Walk-to-Work vessel. The new vessel will join the Kroonborg, put into service almost three years ago, in maintaining NAM and Shell UK’s unmanned platforms in the southern sector of the North Sea. We talked to Joris Eelman, Maintenance & Ops team leader NUIs, about the second Walk-to-Work vessel and how he sees the future.
After 20 years of service in the Caspian Sea, ‘Ice Breaking Support Vessel’ (IBSV) Arcticaborg is embarking on a new adventure. For the next five years, it will support Fathom Marine in the Canadian Arctic waters. With captain Igor Umerenko at the helm, the Arcticaborg left Kazakhstan for Vancouver, Canada, a journey of 10.000 miles.
Over the past 15 years, Wagenborg has built up an impressive track record in logistics for various offshore wind farms in the German Bight. In doing so, the company is making a significant contribution to the transition to sustainable energy. And in 2018, Wagenborg is once more at the basis of a new offshore wind farm, the Borkum Riffgrund 2 – and this time that means literally! Wagenborg has been contracted by the Jan de Nul Group to transport the foundations for 36 wind turbines. Each foundation consists of a monopile, a transition piece, and an anode case. In addition, Wagenborg also transported a special pile driver and a “noise mitigation system” for installing the foundations.
Within the ‘SMArt Maintenance of Ships (SMASH) project’ ship-owners, suppliers, data- and IT-specialists team up to make vessel maintenance condition based. Maritime maintenance is not only important but also a huge expense. Unplanned accidents come with a hefty repair cost, due to the inability to deploy a vessel and thus causing loss of revenue. Currently, maintenance is done on a preventive or corrective level. It is the trick to have it take place before a failure happens; this not only increases the deployability of the vessel but also reduces the expenses.
Kirkenes is ideally suited for observing the Northern Lights. Regardless of this draw, the Norwegian landmark feels like a final destination; end of the line for both roads and ferries. Yet Kirkenes, situated at a mere 10 kilometres from Russia, is known as the ‘gateway to the east’. Renovating the existing E105 targets the facilitation of trade and cooperation between neighbouring countries. Part of this upgrade is the construction of the Bøkfjord bridge; the 120 metre arched steel bridge spanning the Norwegian fjords, connecting Norway and Russia. A complex logistical challenge for Wagenborg to overcome.
