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 to Cape of Good Hope for a final port 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.

Maersk Supply Service completes tow of semi-submersible
Caption: AHTS Maersk Master - Image courtesy of Captom

Efficiency and flexibility

Design features of Maersk Master and her sister vessel of the Starfish series including an 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.

Source: Maersk Supply Services