UK marine logistics provider Osprey Group has signed a shipbuilding contract for two barges suitable for supporting the offshore renewables and oil and gas sectors.
Osprey Bouwer and Osprey Fabrique are being constructed with high deck strengths specifically suited to over-sized, heavy cargoes.
They will be delivered in the first quarter of 2020. The contract is worth €3.4m.
Osprey’s barges and vessels include ocean-going barges for deep-sea programmes, ice-ships, and smaller vessels that can make innovative use of inland waterways and lock systems in the UK and Europe.
The two barges will each be 50 metres in length, with a beam of 18.8 metres and a depth of 3 metres.
The ABS ‘unrestricted sailing area’ classified barges will have a completely flush 20 tonne per square metre-strong deck, equipped with two 23-metre spud poles making the vessels suitable for load outs, interconnection projects, demobs, and other barge commissions.
Osprey chief operations officer Neil Schofield said: “The addition of Osprey Bouwer and Osprey Fabrique to our fleet is very welcome.
“At a time when we’re all focusing on safety in the present, these additions represent £3m pounds of investment in the future – demonstrating our long-term commitment for supporting and being a trusted partner to our clients.”