Equinor extends PSV charter with Eidesvik Offshore

Norwegian offshore operator Eidesvik Offshore has secured a significant charter extension from energy major Equinor for the large platform supply vessel Viking Avant. This contract renewal ensures the vessel continues its operations in direct continuation of the existing agreement, maintaining its presence in the North Sea offshore sector. As Equinor optimizes its supply chain logistics, the Viking Avant remains a critical asset for supporting complex subsea projects, reinforcing the ongoing demand for high-specification PSVs in the Norwegian continental shelf.

The operational continuity of the Viking Avant necessitates strict adherence to the International Maritime Organization’s SOLAS Chapter IX, which mandates the International Safety Management (ISM) Code for all offshore support vessels. Furthermore, the vessel must maintain compliance with MARPOL Annex VI regarding sulfur emission limits in designated emission control areas. For compliance departments, these extensions require rigorous documentation updates to ensure that safety management systems and environmental certifications remain valid under the oversight of classification societies like DNV, ensuring seamless regulatory alignment during prolonged charter periods.

This charter extension directly impacts the daily operational requirements for masters and navigating officers onboard. These officers must ensure that all dynamic positioning (DP) logs and safety checklists are meticulously updated to reflect the extended contract terms. Furthermore, bridge teams should prepare for increased audit frequency from Equinor’s vetting inspectors. Maintaining high standards of bridge resource management and strict compliance with offshore safety protocols is essential to uphold the vessel's operational readiness throughout the duration of this extended charter.