Working Conditions Aboard the Sapeur

On July 17, 2024, at the directive of the Atlantic Maritime Prefect, the Human Diving and Underwater Intervention Expert Center (CEPHISMER) deployed a highly skilled crew aboard the chartered vessel 'Sapeur' to address the ongoing environmental concerns posed by the wreck of the 'Tanio'. This infamous tanker lies approximately 25 nautical miles north of the island of Batz, submerged at a depth of 80 meters. The examination of the 'Tanio' reveals problematic hydrocarbon leaks that had first been detected during an initial dive in December 2019. Back in September 2020, CEPHISMER successfully conducted a mission which plugged 10 significant holes in the vessel's hull. However, following the detection of new leaks in late 2020, the maritime prefect requested further investigations, which led to additional dives in January 2021. It was during these dives that the team uncovered that three hull plates had been ripped away, likely due to fishing activities in the area. Recently, the aftermath of the harsh winter storms in 2024 catalyzed further leakage from the wreck, prompting yet another call for intervention. The latest assessment during three diving missions found multiple breaches in the hull, allowing small quantities of hydrocarbons to escape into the surrounding waters. The intervention titled ‘Operation Sapeur’ utilized the ROV H2000, which was instrumental in affixing a new sealing plate to cover the primary breach and halt the leakage. To ensure the protection of the coastline and maritime routes in North Finistère, special monitoring protocols will be implemented. These protocols include routine satellite and aerial surveillance to track any potential new contamination dispersal in the area. Additional missions similar to the one conducted on July 17 may be scheduled in the upcoming months. The history of the 'Tanio' is marked by tragedy, dating back to March 7, 1980, when the vessel broke apart while navigating from Wilhelmshaven to Civitavecchia, resulting in the loss of eight crew members. At the time, the ship was laden with 28,600 tons of oil, of which approximately 10,000 tons leaked into the sea, severely impacting 200 kilometers of coastline. The vessel's stern, laden with 7,500 tons of oil, was successfully towed to Le Havre, while the bow sank, taking with it another 10,000 tons of oil. After 15 months of underwater operations led by the Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises (COMEX), substantial efforts managed to treat around 5,100 tons of oil despite the challenging marine conditions. The ongoing vigilance and skilled interventions continue to be critical in mitigating the environmental impact of this notorious maritime incident.

Norseman Offshore has filed a bankruptcy petition against Viking Supply Ships in Copenhagen, escalating tensions between the two maritime entities. This legal action stems from Viking's failure to pay $2.5 million in outstanding hire for the vessel Odin Viking, which is currently on a bareboat charter with Viking. In a statement, Viking Supply Ships expressed its intention to contest the petition, asserting that it believes there is "no basis for the petition and will vigorously defend itself against it." Over the past few months, Viking has been actively engaging with its lenders to address its financial concerns. On May 2, the company announced that it reached an in-principle agreement with its creditors. However, Viking cautioned that the restructuring process is still ongoing, with a statement on June 1 noting, "The dialogue is still not completed, but Viking Supply Ships is confident that a restructuring will be completed within the foreseeable future." The company also pointed to adverse market conditions in the global oil and gas industry that have continued to strain its financial situation, stating, "The group’s liquidity position is strained and in the current market, the group is unable to fulfil existing covenant undertakings in its loan agreements."

Viking Supply Ships has announced the immediate layup of its anchor handling tug supply vessel, Odin Viking, citing unfavorable market conditions as the driving factor behind this decision. In an effort to mitigate the impact on personnel, the company plans to engage in discussions with employees and unions to evaluate the future crewing setup, aiming to minimize potential layoffs. This announcement follows the late September layup of three platform supply vessels, all of which were managed by an external ship manager, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the maritime industry.