Rem Offshore and DeepOcean land Equinor contract for IMR newbuild

Norwegian offshore vessel player Rem Offshore has sealed a charter deal with subsea services provider DeepOcean, backed by the largest contract to date for both companies with compatriot energy major Equinor.

The ‘record-breaking’ eight-year firm deal will see a methanol dual-fuel and battery hybrid inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) vessel built at fellow yard Myklebust Verft, which earlier this year also secured an order from Rem Offshore for a large subsea construction vessel.

“The charter agreement with DeepOcean is the largest in Rem’s history, increasing our order backlog to nearly NOK6bn ($544m),” said Lars Andersen, CEO of Rem Offshore.

The contract kicks in upon the vessel’s delivery, expected in 2027, and includes additional extension options.

The 117-m-long newbuild, to be named Rem Ocean, will, when powered by a combination of methanol and batteries, be able to slash emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fuel. It will be equipped with an autonomous inspection drone, an electric 250t crane, double electric work-class remotely operated vehicles, and an electric module handling system. 

Myklebust Verft also has an option to build a second, similar vessel for the Åge Remøy-led company.