Expect high rates for ONGC fire safety vessels

ONGC can expect hire charges to almost double when it receives quotes in its latest tender for three fire-fighting and safety vessels on three-year contracts, according to likely bidders.

This is because ONGC now wants both Fire-Fighting 1 (FiFi-1) and Fire-Fighting 2 (FiFi-2) 2 capability vessels with a helicopter deck and 10-tonne cranes. "These modifications are expensive," reports a source.

"Higher price bids will reflect that." In a similar tender two years ago lowest bidder TAG Offshore offered TAG 6 at $6800/day.

In that tender Great Offshore offered Greatship Rashi at $8820/day but refused to extend its price bid or match TAG's rate and the tender was called off. But TAG failed to mobilise TAG 6 and ONGC eventually ended up blacklisting the company last year (2018).

In the latest tender, where documents have been on sale since March 7 and bids must be submitted by March 28, vessel owners tell us ONGC can expect offers ranging from $12,000 to $15,000/day. Among those likely to bid in this fresh tender are Lilly Maritime with Malaviya 23, 25 and 27, earlier belonging to financially distressed GOL Offshore, and now renamed Priya 23, 25 and 27.

"Some of the TAG vessels might also be offered (by other bidders) in this tender," we hear. Great Offshore is again expected to offer Greatship Rashi and other vessels.

Also expected are offers from Samson Maritime.