Strong demand for offshore service vessels signals growing market

摘要

Offshore service vessels (OSV) are becoming larger, more specialized, and technically sophisticated as a result of the rising demand for more complex deepwater field developments, including the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, there are some 2,500 OSVs worldwide, with a steady growth projected from now until 2020. All this has led to an expanded definition of OSV, which refers to "not only traditional supply boats, but also anchor handling tug-supply ships, well stimulation ships, and standby ships and even those built to carry hazardous and noxious substances, to fight fires, or to occasionally recover oil," Stephen Gumpel, area manager of North and Central America at GL, explained.