Stanford Marine Wins Contract for PSV Stanford Buzzard in Tanzania

Stanford Marine, a division of UAE based Stanford Marine Group (SMG), has been awarded a contract by BG International Limited, Tanzania Branch, (BG Tanzania) for the recently delivered new generation deep-water platform supply vessel ‘Stanford Buzzard’.

The time charter contract represents an approximate value of $36m for this state-of-the-art vessel which amongst other advanced features has eco-friendly emissions-reducing Diesel electric engines and a secure citadel from which the vessel can be controlled even under pirate attack.

“Stanford Buzzard” is a cutting-edge MMC 887 design, 87 m long and 18.8 m wide vessel of 5,000 DWT that has been built to satisfy the most demanding international requirements. The vessel is Dynamic Positioning 2 (DP2) and is driven by four Cummins QSK60-D(M) main engines each developing 2,547 BHP. It is also equipped with 1 x Rolls Royce Bow Thruster of 1220 BHP and a Rolls Royce retractable thruster of 1072 BHP. Furthermore she has two stern thrusters (Azimuth) each developing 2680 BHP.

“With its Diesel electric engines this vessel has significantly lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – illustrating Stanford Marine’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint,” comments Mr. Elias Nassif, CEO of Stanford Marine Group.

The vessel is ideal for deep water offshore supply given her 3500 metric tons of cargo capacity and 1000 m3 free deck space, combined with comfortable well-finished accommodation, primarily consisting of one- and two-person cabins with en suite modern facilities, which can house 52 personnel.

Stanford Marine’s new addition to the fleet will be supporting BG Tanzania’s four to eight exploration and appraisal wells. These wells area located in Block 1, 3 and 4 of the Mafia Deep Offshore Basin and Northern portion of the Ruvuma Basin.

The contract highlights the expansion plans of Stanford Marine into the African continent. In order to support the operations in Tanzania, Stanford Marine will open a satellite office in Mtwara, near the border of Mozambique.

“Stanford Buzzard” is presently enroute to Singapore from the Shipyard in China where she will undergo security upgrades prior to proceeding to Tanzania in early December 2011. These include blast-proof windows, RPG netting, Armor bulletproofing with ceramic ball material and a citadel capable of safely and securely accommodating all personnel and allowing them to maintain control of the vessel and communications from a hardened location which pirates are not able to breach.

“This vessel will be ballistically protected like a fortress, leaving little opportunity for pirates who might roam the Tanzanian waters,” says Mr. Nassif.

“Stanford Buzzard” is the 7th in the series of vessels taken delivery by Stanford Marine in the year 2011. All other vessels delivered so far this year have secured medium to long term charters in Middle East and South East Asia. This vessel is the first of two large Offshore Support Vessels built in the quality shipyard Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Co (China), the second vessel – the “Stanford Hobby” — being scheduled for delivery in January 2012.