Bollinger sells newbuild PSV's via online auction

You can buy just about anything online these days, even a newbuild Platform Supply Vessel (PSV).

In what's believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S., Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., Lockport, La., conducted an online auction to sell two 193 ft x 40 ft PSV's that it built on speculation.

"This really started back in 2005," said Bollinger Shipyards Executive Vice President Robert Socha. "We weren't really comfortable with providing firm-fixed-price contracts for newbuilds that were going to be delivered three years out because of the inflationary market. We looked at the offshore market and determined what was needed and built it."

According to Socha, Bollinger sent out 38 packages to prospective bidders for the vessels. He said those interested in bidding had to submit a refundable fee to participate in the auction. A minimum bid was set.

The successful bidder was Odyssea Marine, Inc., Larose, La. Odyssea Marine is a 10-year-old company with an offshore supply vessel division based in Larose and its Northbank Towing unit based in Berwick, La.

Bollinger plans to sell up to ten other 210 ft x 56 ft x 18 ft SOLAS compliant PSV's that it is building on spec via online auction. Propulsion for the 210 ft PSV's is supplied by two 2,000-bhp Cummins QSK 60 main engines that drive NiBrAl propellers via Twin Disc reduction gearing. Each has two Schottel 750 bhp bow thrusters and a Schottel 350 bhp stern thruster. Cruising speed is 10 knots and maximum speed 11.5 knots.