Modern fleet for Continental Offshore

A context of strong demand from oil operators

Projected oil demand graphic 2030 Projected oil demand

To meet the increasing world market oil demand, the oil companies not only have ambitious objectives for maintaining production in existing fields but are also continuing to develop shallow fields on the continental shelf.

In this market, the necessary renewal of the obsolete fleet represents a unique opportunity for marine services.

Offshore obsolete fleet graphic delivered vessel's number

In the continental offshore market, most of the existing fleet of vessels is old and technically obsolete: in 2010, of the existing fleet of continental offshore vessels, nearly 300 supply vessels will be over 30 years old and more than 700 will be between 20 and 30 years old, but the rapid replacement of this fleet is hampered by the bottleneck that is now seen in shipyards.

A new generation vessel to respond to BOURBON's strategy

A new generation vessel capable of operating in deepwater offshore but also to rapidly replace the old and obsolete continental offshore fleet.

Based on this analysis, BOURBON decided to invest massively in a new large series of new-generation vessels: the Bourbon Liberty series 100 (PSV) and series 200 (AHTS). On February, 2007 BOURBON announced order of 40 units (28 AHTS and 12 PSV) from the Sinopacific shipyards in China, identical to the 36 vessels already ordered in April 2006.

Deliveries will be made up to September 2011, when BOURBON will have the most up-to-date fleet on the market.

Photo de Christian LefèvreThese orders are strategic because they will allow BOURBON to affirm its leading position in modern offshore with a multi-purpose fleet adapted for safety, manoeuvrability, environmental protection and productivity.
The construction of these vessels in series is in line with a proven and profitable business model to reduce construction and maintenance costs. The success of this model is based on the high level of industrial know-how that BOURBON has already demonstrated. It is also based on the tested capability of China’s Sinopacific shipyards to produce quality vessels, which has been confirmed by the success of the vessels already delivered and in operation and which give full satisfaction to our customers.
With these orders of new generation vessels intended both for deepwater and continental offshore, we will, with confidence, satisfy the needs of all our customers for modern vessels.

Christian Lefèvre, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of BOURBON

BOURBON is the first company in the market that is able to offer continental offshore clients the technological excellence of deepwater offshore.

Horizon 2012

New generation, innovative, high performance vessels for Horizon 2012 Strategy.

By 2012, BOURBON intends to become the leader in modern offshore oil and gas marine services, by offering to the most demanding oil and gas clients worldwide.
The Bourbon Liberty series is a response, a full line of new generation, innovative, high performance vessels.

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Did you know?

The two series were named
the Bourbon Liberty, a reference
to the Liberty Ships of Second World War, ships that were completely standardized and built in record time in very large series by American shipyards to supply the Allied Forces.

This build industrialization model of ships helped to modify the course of history.