Offshore & Support Vessels: Sourcing and Newbuild Coordination for PSV, AHTS and Support Fleets

Offshore energy and marine operations rely on support-vessel fleets covering a range of mission profiles — from platform supply vessels (PSV) to anchor-handling tug supply vessels (AHTS), workboats and crew-transfer craft. These requirements can be met either by sourcing a suitable vessel already on the market, or by developing a newbuild project matched to the operational requirement.

Marinetra offers both routes for offshore and support-vessel requirements: market-based vessel sourcing and newbuild project development. Below you'll find the vessel categories, the difference between the two approaches, and our role.

Table of Contents

Offshore & Support Vessel Categories

PSV (Platform Supply Vessel) carries fuel, water, chemicals, dry cargo and general supplies to offshore platforms, with dynamic positioning enabling precise manoeuvring alongside a platform for safe cargo transfer.

AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply) combines anchor handling, towage and supply duties in a single multi-function support vessel, with high bollard pull and specialist anchor-handling equipment playing a critical role in positioning and moving offshore platforms.

Utility vessels, crew boats and workboats are smaller support craft addressing other offshore operational needs, while multi-purpose support vessels combine several roles on one flexible platform.

Each category serves a different operational scenario — a PSV's role in the platform supply cycle differs materially from an AHTS's role in anchor-handling operations; other project-based support-vessel requirements are assessed against the operation's specific needs.

Vessel Sourcing: Researching Vessels Already on the Market

Vessel sourcing covers market research for an existing-vessel requirement, drawing on both the open market and our industry network. It is particularly suited to shorter-term operational needs or a specific contract period.

Marinetra evaluates the operator's requirements — dynamic-positioning class, deck area, cargo capacity, bollard pull and similar — and researches suitable market alternatives, including off-market opportunities accessible through our network.

Candidate vessels are compared on age, technical condition, class status, certification validity and existing contract structure (if any), with technical inspection and survey coordination supporting the evaluation of second-hand tonnage.

New Build Project Development

Where no suitable vessel is available on the market, or the operator has longer-term, bespoke operational requirements, newbuild project development takes over — evaluating design platform, naval architect, engineering and shipyard resources against the operational requirement.

Dynamic-positioning class, deck area, cargo capacity, crewing plan and class/flag requirements are defined at the outset of a newbuild process, with a suitable design platform researched or bespoke engineering developed accordingly.

Shipyard research identifies builders with relevant experience, technical capacity and delivery reliability for the vessel type; technical/commercial comparison, build follow-up and sea-trial coordination carry the project to delivery.

Evaluation Criteria for Support Vessel Projects

Common evaluation criteria across both routes include dynamic-positioning class, deck area and cargo capacity, bollard pull (for AHTS), accommodation capacity, class and flag requirements, and suitability for the intended operating area.

On the commercial side, purchase or charter cost for second-hand tonnage is weighed against total project cost and delivery programme for a newbuild, alongside expected operating costs (fuel consumption, maintenance needs, crewing requirement).

The choice between vessel sourcing and newbuild development should ultimately reflect the operation's timeline, budget structure and long-term strategic goals — an evaluation Marinetra carries out jointly with the client.

Why Marinetra for Offshore & Support Vessel Projects?

Marinetra offers both market research for existing tonnage and newbuild project development for offshore and support-vessel requirements, allowing the operator's needs to be evaluated flexibly across both routes.

Our independent approach means market research is carried out broadly, without being tied to a specific owner, yard or broker — giving the operator a wider pool of alternatives to decide from.

For a PSV, AHTS, utility vessel, crew boat, workboat or multi-purpose support vessel requirement, share your operational requirements and let's evaluate both routes together.

Share Your Vessel Requirement. Share your operating area, dynamic-positioning requirement and cargo-capacity expectations, and let's evaluate market sourcing and newbuild development together.

Would you like more information about this service area?

Our team will be glad to assist you.