Two more anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels have been idled in Norway, bringing the number of vessels laid up in the North Sea to 71.

Today, Boa Offshore’s vessel Boa Jarl (26,969 bhp, built 2015) was laid up in Trondheim, having been unemployed since completing 14 days’ work for Lundin in mid-August.

Simon Møkster Rederi’s Stril Commander (17,250 bhp, built 2009) was laid up at Stavanger after completing its previous charter with Prosafe at the end of September.

Some 17 AHTSs are now laid up in the North Sea, plus 50 platform supply vessels (PSV) and four multipurpose supply vessels.

Meanwhile, Dana Petroleum today chartered Greatship India’s PSV Malaviya 7 (4,587 dwt, built 1994) for supply duties for £3,000 per day. The reported rate was even lower than seen on Tuesday, when Wood Group fixed Gulf Offshore’s PSV Highland Chieftain (4,000 dwt, built 2013) for supply duties at £3,250 daily.