May 11, 2021
The Petrojarl Banff FPSO completed her final voyage on May 8, 2021 and is now safely moored alongside the Modern American Recycling Services Europe A/S (MARS) quayside in Frederikshavn, Denmark in preparation for green recycling.
After decades at sea, at the end of their life, ships are recycled—the vessel is dismantled, and steel and other valuable materials are recycled. It is the most responsible way of disposing a vessel, since almost every part of the ship is reused, but it needs to be done in a safe and socially responsible manner.
Now that the Banff FPSO has completed her final voyage, she will be recycled at M.A.R.S. Europe’s EU-approved facility in the Port of Frederikshavn, Denmark. For many who have worked on the vessel over her 21-years in operation in the rough waters of the North Sea, May 8 marked a final milestone for the affectionately called, “Old Lady” as she arrived at her destination for her forthcoming dismantlement and green recycling.
The Final Voyage
The Banff FPSO tow to Frederikshavn, Denmark commenced on May 2, one day ahead of schedule due to favourable weather conditions and the efficient operations at Kishorn Port.
The final tow of the unit took six days from the Port of Kishorn, Scotland to Frederikshavn, Denmark. The route took her around Scotland passing North of her original Central North Sea field position, past the South coast of Norway and around the Skagen Odde peninsula in the far north of Jutland, and finally, to Frederikshavn. The unit arrived at the anchorage point outside Frederikshavn on May 8 well ahead of schedule after a successful operation with no safety issues or delays due to weather.
Teekay is thankful for the professionalism and cooperation displayed by DOF Subsea and all other parties involved to deliver the Banff to her final location safely and efficiently. We are grateful for the teamwork and collaboration between personnel from Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Denmark to ensure all COVID-19 restrictions and management criterion from each respective country were abided by throughout this process.
About the Recycling Process
Before selecting the M.A.R.S facility, Teekay conducted a competitive tender process involving several recycling facilities that met our stringent requirements. Additionally, Teekay engaged DNV to carry out an independent assessment of the facility against the requirements of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation and the Hong Kong Convention. M.A.R.S. has the necessary permits and capabilities in place to manage the recycling process for a unit such as the Banff FPSO.
The recycling process is expected to take approximately 12 months, during which time Teekay will have representatives on-site to ensure the unit is green recycled in compliance with all applicable EU regulations as well as our own vessel recycling policies that go above and beyond the Hong Kong Convention.
