The contract extension follows the busiest year ever since Semco Maritime took on the Queens Dock facility in 2014. During 2018, various vessels have stayed in Queens Dock along with Maersk Reacher (reactivation upgrades, 10 months) and Maersk Innovator (upgrade and installation of Cantilever extension, 2 months) have kept the Queens Dock busy.
Numerous rigsOver the years, Semco Maritime has carried out works on drilling rigs, pipe lay vessels, accommodation rigs, survey vessels, cargo boats and various other projects, and has hosted numerous rigs including Songa Dee, Maersk Highlander, Maersk Reacher, Ensco 80, Noble Regina Allen and Maersk Innovator to name a few.
“The extension of our existing contract for Queens Dock shows Semco Maritime’s commitment to maintain and strengthen our presence in the UK. In the past five years we have seen our department in Invergordon flourish and deliver great service to our clients, not least thanks to a productive agreement with Port of Cromarty Firth with both parties fully behind repairs, upgrades and maintenance projects”, says Neil Robertson, Operations Manager at Semco Maritime, Invergordon.
Perfect baseA perfect base for various offshore service projects, Invergordon has made it possible for Semco Maritime to carry out repairs, upgrades and maintenance for rigs in operation as far away as Malaysia, Australia and the Gulf of Mexico and modify and prepare rigs for the North Sea and beyond.
“Our successful cooperation with Port of Cromarty Firth over the last five years has established a solid foundation and ensured continuous growth for both parties. The contract extension will give us an even better base, especially in light of the future expansion of the port with laydown areas for wind turbines or decommissioned oil and gas infrastructure components”, says Senior Vice President, Lars Skov, Semco Maritime.
Bob Buskie, Chief Executive of Port of Cromarty Firth, says: “We are delighted Semco Maritime has extended their contract for the Queens Dock. Their arrival at the Port five years ago provided our customers with a choice of suppliers, which has since been broadened further. This choice and flexibility has made Invergordon an attractive Port for drilling contractors and subsea operators undertaking inspection, repair and maintenance projects.”
About Port of Cromarty FirthWith more than 40 years’ experience, the Port has handled over 700 rig moves and has the capacity to handle the world’s largest semi-submersibles, accommodation platforms and drill ships. Engineering facilities at Invergordon support the full range of rig inspection, repair and maintenance.
Port of Cromarty Firth is the owner and operator of the Invergordon Service Base, with user quays including the Queens Dock. All berths offer sheltered deepwater, have no tidal constraints and are operational 24/7/365.
In 2020 Port of Cromarty Firth inaugurates a new 715ft (218m) long quayside, and a 9 acre (4 hectares) laydown area for the handling of offshore wind turbine components or use in the decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure.