10 Major Offshore Shipping Companies

Offshore Shipping Companies aid offshore operations, especially in the oil and gas sector and renewable energy projects. They offer specialised vessels and services like transportation of personnel and equipment, supplies and deliveries of essential items, anchor handling and subsea operations.

These companies are vital for facilitating safe and efficient operations in challenging marine environments. There are several kinds of offshore shipping companies, including offshore support vessel companies that offer logistical support, FPSO companies which manage floating production units, Subsea Services Companies that specialise in underwater operations, Dive Support Vessel Companies and Offshore Construction Companies.

The offshore shipping market, especially for offshore support vessels (OSVs), is growing, with an estimated market value of USD 25.6 billion in 2024, projected to reach USD 36.3 billion by 2029.

In this article, we will list 10 major offshore shipping companies that offer global energy independence and are responsible for the growth of offshore industries.

1. Edison Chouest Offshore

This marine transportation solutions provider was founded in Louisiana in 1960. Today, it has a fleet of more than 200 ships, with lengths ranging from 87 to more than 527 feet.

The offshore shipping company is known for its adoption of new technologies and venturing into new markets, including its recent move in the realm of subsea support, global communications and integrated bridge systems.

It also designs, constructs, owns and operates highly advanced vessels that are in demand across the globe in Africa, South America and beyond.

The company caters to most of U.S. Gulf deepwater operations with its fleet of vessels, which include light construction vessels, anchor handling towing supply vessels, multi-purpose supply vessels, Platform Supply Vessels, Oil Spill Response Vessels, Specialty Vessels, Fast Supply Vessels and Tractor Tugs.

2. Seacor Marine

This offshore shipping company operates a diversified fleet of efficient vessels that provide services for oil and gas extraction, development and production industry.

The company has a legacy of several firsts in the industry, such as the introduction of catamarans to the oilfields and the use of ride control technology, allowing for smooth and comfortable offshore excursions.

It also built the only monohull in the sector with an airline-type pod seating structure, fitted with LED lighting and USB charging connections.

The company provides services like crew transport, offshore accommodation, maintenance support, platform supply, anchor handling and mooring. It integrates the services seamlessly, allowing clients to optimise operations while focusing on environment and sustainability.

3. Bourbon

With its head office in Marseille, France, Bourbon provides offshore energy operators, surface and subsea marine services for oil and gas fields and wind farms. It operates through three companies, namely, Bourbon Marine & Logistics, Bourbon Subsea Services & Bourbon Mobility.

It has a fleet of 244 ships and 5980 highly skilled professionals, which make it a key player in the industry.

The company also provides local service for clients in 36 nations in which it operates.

Founded in 1948, the company has anchor-handling tug supply vessels, platform supply vessels, crew boats and quick supply vessels. These vessels are built to serve several missions, including the transportation of personnel and equipment, towing, logistics support, and anchor handling.

The company is known for its innovative solutions and adaptation of digital technologies, data analytics and automation.

4. DOF Subsea

Having a multi-national workforce comprising over 5000 personnel, DOF is a group of companies that owns and operates a fleet of offshore or subsea vessels.

One of the largest offshore shipping companies, it has more than 40 years of experience in the offshore business and maintains a distinguished reputation in terms of its product range, capacity and technology.

It offers services like subsea construction, subsea engineering, inspections, repairs, maintenance and survey services.

Its core business is project management, engineering, survey, remote intervention, diving operations, and vessel operations, mainly for the Offshore Energy, Marine Telecommunications and Renewable sectors.

Its main operation centres and business units are in Norway, the United Kingdom, USA, Brazil, Singapore, Angola, Australia and Canada.

5. Tidewater Inc

This company has one of the biggest OSV fleets and over 60 years of experience in supporting offshore energy exploration and production activities across the globe.

Based in Houston, Texas, this company, founded in 1956, provides vessels and marine services to offshore petroleum and wind industries.

It launched the Ebb Tide, the world’s first vessel built to support the offshore oil and gas industry in 1956.

Presently, more than 90% of its fleet works in more than 60 countries, engaged in the most complicated and challenging offshore projects.

The company safely transports crew members and supplies, tow and anchor mobile rigs and helps in offshore construction projects while offering several specialised marine support services.

6. Solstad Offshore

It is a Norwegian offshore service provider which has 89 vessels, including 26 construction service ships, 21 anchor handling tug supply ships and 42 platform supply vessels.

The company has offices in Norway’s Skundeneshavn, U.K.’s Aberdeen, Singapore, Macae, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Perth, Australia.

The company has 2300 employees from 40 different nationalities.

The company also offers geotechnical services, SURF (Subsea Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines) operations, cable laying and repair, trenching, burial, ROV support, surveys, and IMR (Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair) operations.

In the last decade, the company has also taken measures to decrease its carbon footprint with the help of its Solstad Green Operations Program.

7. Sea1 Offshore Inc

Earlier known as Siem Offshore Inc, this company is a leading vessel provider to the offshore oil and gas and renewable industry, based on its competent workforce and modern vessels.

It offers services including Well intervention, Mooring replacement, Inspection & changeouts of mooring lines, Towing and anchor handling, Bundletows of pipe sections, prelay of anchor lines, Oil spill recovery, Ice management, CAN-installation, Deep water inspection- and construction work, ROV and light Construction duties, Supply duty &services to offshore installations.

It has a long track record in the offshore wind farm market, offering services like walk-to-work gangways on offshore wind installations, Trenching and ploughing for power cable laying, and Field support on offshore wind installations.

The company has 34 vessels and 1200 employees. It has offices in Norway, Canada, Australia, Brazil and the USA.

8. Hornbeck Offshore

This offshore shipping company provides marine transportation, accommodation, exploration and production services to oilfields, offshore construction sectors and military customers.

It also offers offshore housing solutions through its fleet of accommodation support vessels. It also has a growing fleet of DP-2 Mexican flagged supply vessels.

Hornbeck Offshore is also known for having one of the youngest fleets of new generation OSVs and the youngest management team.

The company’s OSVs and MPSVs are designed to meet the higher capacity and performance requirements of the clients’ drilling and production programs.

9. Harvey Gulf International Marine

This marine transportation company provides fast supply, offshore supply and multi-purpose vessels for deepwater operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

It is based in New Orleans, Louisiana and is dedicated to innovation, evident in its contribution in introducing the first dual-fueled LNG powered offshore supply vessels in North America.

The company has also prioritized eco-friendly practices in its operations. It has also ensured that its vessels are constructed following the ABS Enviro Plus notation.

The company has state-of-the-art ships with LED lighting systems throughout its vessels, which has led to the reduction of its carbon footprint.

10. McDermott International

It is a renowned name in the field of integrated engineering, construction, procurements and installation services for the offshore oil and gas industry.

The company specializes in offshore platforms, floating production platforms, subsea pipelines and other offshore equipment. It has experience in operating in challenging environments, including shallow and deepwater areas, enabling it to take on complicated projects.

This offshore shipping company operates in more than 54 countries, has 30,000 plus employees, specialised marine vessels and fabrication facilities worldwide.

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