April 16 - SBM Offshore has chosen Blue Water Shipping, a company with which it already holds a longstanding business relationship, to undertake the task of providing logistics for materials and equipment to China and Brazil, where the conversion of the f
The FPSO is being converted from a tanker,which is 400 m long and 70 m across. After conversion, Cidade de Ilhabela will be the world's largest FPSO, says Blue Water Shipping and will operate for the oil and gas sector off the Brazilian coast.
The project comprises several thousand shipments and involves Blue Water's offices in Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Singapore, Esbjerg, Rotterdam, Aberdeen and Houston. The first phase of the project will take place in China where the preliminary, basic changes of the tanker will be carried out.
Subsequently the vessel will sail to SBM's shipyard in Brazil where the final part of the conversion will take place. The entire conversion project is expected to be completed in 2014.
SBM Offshore is a leading player in the construction, production, installation and operation of FPSOs. The company operates a fleet of more than 20 FPSOs worldwide and employs 6,000 people.
Blue Water Shipping has experience with oil and gas projects worldwide and is already involved in projects for SBM Offshore, McDermott, Keppel Fels and Odfjell Drilling among others.
Thomas Bek, global manager for oil & gas at Blue Water Shipping stated: "We have developed a good cooperation with SBM Offshore through our previous projects, where Blue Water's expertise in transport and logistics to the oil and gas industry has been a decisive factor in successful projects."
He added: "Blue Water offers high reliability of delivery and our incorporated IT systems ensure a unique service which will be of benefit to our clients. On top of this, we have a strong set-up in Brazil with local representation and profound expertise within the oil and gas industry."
