Magne-Viking

Swedish-headquartered supply shipping company Viking Supply Ships (VSS) has decided to move four of its AHTS vessels from the Danish International Ship Register (DIS) to the Norwegian flag. According to a statement on Thursday by Denmark’s largest maritime trade union CO-Sea, all fixed and long-term employees on the vessels have been offered new contracts under the NOR. The employees’ DIS contracts will be terminated and replaced by new, NOR contracts. The union stated that the transfer of four anchor handling tug and supply vessels, Loke Viking, Njord Viking, Magne Viking, and Brage Viking, will happen during the first quarter of 2017.The shipping company’s aim is to optimize the overall shipping operations by bringing together major parts of the fleet under the Norwegian flag to meet the increasingly strong competition in the offshore market The Danish Metals & Maritime Department (DMMA) set up a meeting with the respective Norwegian trade unions and the company for January 5, 2017. At the meeting, the parties wll clarify the details related to the transition of employees. Source: Offshore Energy Today

After a successful survey, DNV GL and the Danish Maritime Authority confirm that the AHTS Magne Viking, owned by Viking Supply Ships A/S, is in compliance with the new IMO Polar Code. “Having followed the development of the Polar Code for some years, it is a great achievement to finally survey the first vessel to comply with the Code” says Morten Mejlænder Larsen, responsible for the Arctic and Polar activities in DNV GL Maritime. Based on long experience from Arctic operations in low temperatures and ice covered waters, Viking Supply Ships saw the value in and decided early to implement the IMO Polar Code. The process has included updates of vessel and equipment as well as providing the required documentation. The IMO Polar Code is mandatory for all SOLAS vessel entering Arctic and Antarctic waters after 1st January 2017. The Code is an add-on to existing IMO codes where the main requirements are related to safety (SOLAS) and protection of the environment (MARPOL). DNV GL will, on behalf of the Flag Authorities, issue the Polar Ship Certificate for vessels complying with the new code.

The icebreaking anchor handler Magne Viking recently arrived in the North Sea spot market having been completed by Astilleros Zamakona shipyard in Spain. Seabrokers reports that the TransAtlantic-owned 19,040 bhp anchor handler, which was formerly named Trans Bering, is the third in a series of four being built at the yard (the final vessel is to be called Trans Barents and will deliver next year). The vessel has Ice 1A class, oilrec, Clean Design, 750m2 of deck area, a minimum of 225 tonnes bollard pull and LOA of 85m.