French vessel owner Jifmar Offshore Services has completed the sale of its Jif Xplorer vessel to Lithuanian outfit Garant for deployment on offshore wind developments in the Baltic Sea.
The ex-fishing boat, which had been based in the Port of Bayonne, was completely refitted by Jifmar to serve as a DP1 survey vessel.
Xplorer, renamed as Baltic Explorer, was involved in the development of the first French offshore wind projects as well as carrying out works for the French defence ministry.
She will soon be deployed in the Baltic supporting the emerging offshore wind industry in the region.
Garant Group director Vaidas Valancius said: “We are excited to start a year with an addition of the modern research vessel to our fleet.
“We are looking forward to support international offshore wind farm development projects with Baltic Explorer and enhance our partnership with Jifmar Offshore Services.”
The compact research vessel is designed to carry out accurate oceanographic research and support marine business with quality hydrographic and geophysical services.
Jifmar managing director Foad Zahedi said: “This is an interesting opportunity for Jifmar as well as for Garant Group.
“The sale of Jif Xplorer will also be the first step in a new relationship between Jifmar Offshore Services and Garant Group.
“Both companies have strong complementarities, should we be talking areas of operations, or areas of expertise and we wish the new owners fair winds.”


