SeaKing completes African job

MERSEYSIDE-based SeaKing Electrical has completed a ship upgrade contract in West Africa.

The firm’s engineers spent a week in the Republic of Congo working on an offshore support tug for Andofe Shipping Management.

The Birkenhead-based firm was hired to repair the AHT Independence’s bow thruster, which enables the boat to manoeuvre and hold its position in the water.

SeaKing initially carried out work to the vessel when it was moored at Bidston Dock in the Mersey. It is now looking for more work in the West African oil and gas exploration and drilling market

The AHT Independence is a 42-meter, 70-tonne support tug. Last year it was involved in offshore tanker operations in Iraq and has also worked in Kuwait.

SeaKing’s business development manager Neil Mellenchip said: “It is the latest in a number of international projects which have seen our specialist engineers and technicians working across the globe in places including the Suez Canal, Russia, Malaysia and the Caribbean. The Congo project took around one week to complete.

“A focus is being placed on expanding our international work in this geographical territory. We will be targeting this rapidly expanding offshore oil and gas market with our complete electrical engineering and maintenance support offering. We can offer support for a broad range of vessels. However, we are particularly keen to highlight our services for use on dive support vessels and new build ships where we specialise in upgrading contractors equipment.”