Solstad Maritime has signed a letter of intent with an unnamed client for the long-term hire of its construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Cutter, committing the 2001-built vessel to subsea operations in West Africa, according to Splash247.
The contract will commence in the fourth quarter of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027, with a firm duration of three years plus three years of options, Splash247 reported. The commercial terms and conditions remain confidential.
Contract structure
- Vessel: Normand Cutter, a large construction vessel built in 2001, owned by Solstad Maritime.
- Client: Unnamed, per the letter of intent covered by Splash247.
- Start window: Q4 2026 or Q1 2027.
- Firm term: Three years, with an additional three years of options.
- Operating area: West Africa, supporting subsea operations.
Vessel and equipment package
Splash247 reported that the Normand Cutter is equipped with a 300-tonne active heave-compensated crane and a working deck of approximately 1,600 square metres. As part of the contract, Solstad will deliver two work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) with manning, tooling, survey services, and project personnel, supported by Omega Subsea.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Normand Cutter |
| Year built | 2001 |
| Crane capacity | 300 tonnes, active heave-compensated |
| Working deck | approx. 1,600 sq m |
| Contract start | Q4 2026 or Q1 2027 |
| Firm duration | 3 years + 3 years options |
| Operating region | West Africa |
Subsea support scope
The ROV package is a notable feature of the deal. According to Splash247, Solstad will deliver two work-class ROVs with manning, tooling, survey services, and project personnel, with support from Omega Subsea. This means the contract covers not just the vessel itself but an integrated subsea support capability.
For companies involved in offshore logistics and subsea project planning, the long-term charter commits the Normand Cutter to West Africa for a firm three-year period, with the option of extending to six years. The vessels's deployment in the region reduces the immediate availability of a large-capacity CSV for other charterers, based on the terms reported by Splash247.
Operational implications
Under the reported terms, the Normand Cutter will remain in West Africa through the initial three-year firm period, with options that could keep it there for another three years. The client remains unnamed and commercial terms were not disclosed, according to Splash247. Because the contract bundles the vessel, two work-class ROVs, manning, tooling, survey services, and project personnel, the charter is structured as a self-contained subsea support unit, reducing the need for additional mobilisations from other regions.
Splash247's report, authored by Bojan Lepic, did not disclose the client's identity or the financial details of the charter, leaving the effective day rate unknown. For freight forwarders and logistics managers serving offshore energy projects, the deployment signals sustained subsea activity in West Africa during the contract window, with a single integrated logistics package moving with the vessel.
Watch list
- Commencement of the charter in Q4 2026 or Q1 2027.
- Whether the unnamed client and project specifics are revealed closer to mobilisation.
- Option exercise on the additional three years, which would extend Normand Cutter's commitment through the early 2030s.
- Additional Solstad Maritime vessel commitments in West Africa or other subsea markets.
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