Norwegian offshore vessel owner DOF has won two new anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel contracts and two long-term contract extensions with Petrobras in Brazil, according to Splash247 Maritime.
DOF said it secured firm contracts lasting more than one year, with an expected start in the fourth quarter of 2027 for two of its AHTS vessels. The vessel names and client were not revealed, and each contract is expected to be worth between $15m and $25m, Splash247 reported.
The Norwegian owner also received two new long-term contract extensions from Petrobras in Brazil. The pipe-laying support vessels (PLSVs) Skandi Buzios and Skandi Recife have been awarded a 516-day extension and a 550-day extension, respectively. These contracts, previously scheduled to terminate in the third quarter of 2026, have now been extended through January 2028. Both vessels are owned by a 50-50 joint venture between DOF and TechnipFMC.
Contract details
The two AHTS awards are firm contracts with a duration exceeding one year and a combined value range of $15m to $25m each. Specific vessel names and the charterer remain undisclosed. The two Petrobras PLSV extensions differ in length, with Skandi Recife receiving 34 more days than Skandi Buzios. The extension pushes both vessels' contractual commitments from a third-quarter 2026 termination to the end of January 2028.
| Contract | Asset | Duration / Value | Start / End |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHTS contract 1 | Not disclosed | Between $15m and $25m | Expected Q4 2027 |
| AHTS contract 2 | Not disclosed | Between $15m and $25m | Expected Q4 2027 |
| Petrobras extension 1 | Skandi Buzios | 516-day extension | Previously Q3 2026, now through January 2028 |
| Petrobras extension 2 | Skandi Recife | 550-day extension | Previously Q3 2026, now through January 2028 |
Key finding: DOF has locked in AHTS work starting Q4 2027 and extended its Petrobras PLSV operations through January 2028.
Operational impact
For logistics and operations teams tracking offshore supply chains, the contract wins provide multi-year visibility for DOF's fleet in Brazilian waters. The extension of the Skandi Buzios and Skandi Recife contracts until January 2028 indicates sustained demand for pipe-laying support capacity tied to Petrobras subsea projects. The undisclosed AHTS client leaves room for additional charterers in the market, while the $15m–$25m per-vessel value range gives a benchmark for similar anchor handling work.
Shippers and forwarders involved in oilfield logistics should note the extended equipment commitments, which may influence availability of specialised offshore tonnage in South Atlantic operations through the end of the decade. The JV structure between DOF and TechnipFMC means the two PLSVs remain jointly owned, spreading risk and operational responsibility across two established offshore service providers.
Watch list
- Identity of the AHTS charterer, not disclosed in the announcement
- Further Petrobras contract awards for offshore support vessels in Brazil
- Start of the two AHTS contracts in the fourth quarter of 2027
- Any changes to the DOF–TechnipFMC joint venture structure
Sources:
