With a stellar track record comprising landmark projects such as the INPEX Ichthys FPSO and CPF as well as the Shell Prelude FLNG, POSH Terasea has established itself as the world's leading ocean towage service provider. Recognising our expertise, Brazilian oil giant Petrobras, awarded POSH Terasea with two long-distance ocean towage contracts for its P-75 and P-77 tankers.
Two months prior to departure, POSH Terasea's project management team ("PMT") worked closely with Tranship, Cosco Shipyard and Marine Warranty Surveyor ("MWS") to make all necessary preparations for a smooth sail-away. On May 16, the two nominated 200TBP Anchor Handling Tugs ("AHT"), Terasea Hawk and Terasea Osprey, arrived at Dalian COSCO to prepare for hook-up. Three days later, our AHTs connected with the Floating Production Storage and Offloading ("FPSO") unit and the FPSO was ballasted down for ocean passage.
On the foggy morning of May 20, the convoy departed Dalian and commenced passage to Rio Grande. The approximate distance for overall tow is 12,190 nautical miles, and will take around 67 days at 7.6 knots estimated towing speed
Terasea Hawk first called at Singapore on June 3 for bunkering and re-supplying while Terasea Osprey continued towing. In less than 24 hours, Terasea Hawk was back with the convoy, releasing Terasea Osprey for port call on 5 June.
With the tug and tow smoothly underway, the FPSOs are estimated to arrive at Rio Grande on August 1 and will operate in Buzios pre-salt field in the Santos basin. The towage of P-75 and P-77 will mark another successful project delivered by POSH Terasea, underscoring again our commitment to service excellence.
POSH TERASEA EXECUTIVES GIVEN UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE MEGA PROJECT FIRST HAND THROUGH ONBOARD ATTACHMENT
The fourth mega project undertaken by our POSH Terasea joint venture in 2017, on towing and positioning the Total Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading ("FPSO") vessel, began on October 31.
Three 200TBP tugs were deployed to guide the FPSO from the Samsung Heavy Industries ("SHI") shipyard in Geoje, South Korea on its three-month journey to Nigeria. There, the FPSO would be completed with its topsides before making its way to its final destination - the Total-operated Egina field - about 130 kilometres offshore.
As part of exposing our onshore staff to the realities of offshore operations, two POSH Terasea officers – Senior Manager James Teo and Operations Executive Sarah Ghazalie – were given a unique opportunity to sail aboard Terasea Eagle, one of the vessels supporting the Egina FPSO, to witness the mega project up close. This experience proved to have widened their horizons and allowed them to build a stronger bond with their seafaring counterparts as part of the bigger POSH family.
James said, “After months of meticulous planning, nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing the convoy depart SHI Geoje safely. All thanks to the dedication and effort of the experienced shore-based project team that made this possible. Being on board Terasea Eagle is an entirely different and valuable experience, one that I deeply cherish.”
Sarah, who recently joined POSH, added, “We were very excited to be onboard Terasea Eagle. Throughout the voyage, the crew were extremely helpful and accommodating to James and I. The success of any project execution is never possible without the dedication of our crew and I am grateful to have witnessed their professionalism and teamwork. This helped me appreciate the challenges of the job better.”
From encountering Typhoon Saola on departure day from Geoje, South Korea to facing down the rough Kuro Shio currents, the 15-day voyage proved to be an experience of a lifetime for the two. Read more about their time at sea on the POSH Terasea website.
SEMCO SALVAGE & TOWAGE REFLOATS BULK CARRIER OFF SEYCHELLES ISLANDS
On the evening of February 2, 2017, Alam Manis ran aground in the sandy shallows of Saya De Malha Ba off Seychelles Islands while on her voyage from Richards Bay, South Africa to Pipavav, India. Fortunately, no crew was injured. However, reports of an oncoming tropical cyclone raised concerns for the safety of the crew.
Semco Salvage & Towage Private Limited (“SSTPL”) was
engaged by Manis Shipping, owner of the Alam Manis, to
refloat her immediately and Anchor Handling Tug Supply
("AHTS") vessel POSH Virtue was rapidly deployed to the
location.
On site, SSTPL worked with Manis Shipping’s crisis
management team to coordinate the operation. At the
same time, POSH Virtue executed hydrographic surveys on the surrounding sandy shallow waters, mapping out the egress route while the salvage team carried out underwater inspection and preparations for the refloating operation.
With good weather conditions and a favourable high tide,
Alam Manis was successfully refloated without losing any cargo or causing any damage to the environment on the morning of February 11, 2017. POSH Virtue then towed Alam Manis out of the shallow water maze. This was followed by a final underwater inspection by our salvage team before she finally resumed her voyage to Pipapav, India.
