Qatar-headquartered Milaha Offshore has contracted V.Ships Offshore to provide full technical and crew management services for its first self-propelled jack-up lift boat – the Milaha Explorer.

The ship management services will be provided by V.Ships Offshore’s newly acquired Bibby Ship Management office in Singapore. The Milaha Explorer can accommodate 300 people but will be deployed offshore with an initial crew of 15 in support of field maintenance efforts. It is Singapore flagged.

“This is the first lift boat owned by Milaha Offshore and we are pleased that our previous experience of managing these types of specialised vessels has been recognised,” said Arvind Mohan, general manager V.Ships Offshore Singapore.

Milaha took delivery of Milaha Explorer in April from Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industries following a launch and naming ceremony at the Chinese shipbuilder’s Liaoning Province yard.

It is the biggest lift boat to be owned by a Qatari company, with a large deck area and variable load capacity. The lift boat’s capabilities will enhance Milaha’s diverse portfolio of offerings to the offshore oil and gas sector, particularly in support of its clients’ brown field operations.

Milaha president and ceo Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai said: “We are delighted to add the Milaha Explorer to our fleet, which allows us to partner ever more closely with leading global energy companies to meet their diverse needs, now and in the future.

“We are optimistic about continued growth opportunities despite the current challenges in the oil and gas sector, and this newbuild lift boat will enable us to further strengthen our position in the region and beyond.”

Vivek Seth, ceo of Halul Offshore Services Co (Milaha Offshore) added: “We have ordered a particularly large lift boat to address the growing demand for these types of assets, both in the region and the world. We believe that this strategic asset will help augment our status as a partner in the life extension of mature fields and enhanced field maintenance services.”