Bluewhale Offshore has announced a new accommodation and heavy lift contract for the semi-submersible crane vessel (SSCV) Blue Gretha, awarded under the EPC contract for Shell Nigeria’s Bonga North project. The contract, secured in collaboration with OOS International, will support Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo).
The firm charter covers an initial period of 15 months, with optional extensions. The Blue Gretha, formerly known as Huadian Zhongji 01, is currently undergoing refurbishment and preparation at CIMC Raffles Shipyard in Yantai, China. The vessel’s deployment to Nigeria marks its return to high-profile offshore operations, leveraging its proven track record from both Brazil’s oil and gas sector and China’s offshore wind market.
Measuring 81 meters in length and equipped with two 1,800-tonne Huisman cranes, the SSCV can accommodate 618 personnel. Its flexible configuration allows it to serve as both a heavy-lift platform and an accommodation unit.
The Blue Gretha previously served Petrobras from 2013 to 2017, conducting heavy-lift operations, maintenance, and upgrades at Brazil’s pre-salt fields. The vessel was praised for its performance under severe sea conditions (up to Sea State 5) and for meeting Petrobras’ stringent safety and environmental standards.
In China, the vessel played a vital role in multiple offshore wind projects across the South China Sea, contributing to installations exceeding 5MW per turbine and supporting heavy-lift operations for jacket and pile installations.
With this latest Bonga North contract, Bluewhale Offshore aims to capitalize on its dual-sector expertise—offshore oil & gas and renewable wind—providing high-quality offshore services to Shell’s Nigerian operations. The project marks another milestone in the company’s global expansion and operational versatility.
