Union Maritime and Joint Venture Order Two PSVs from Fujian Shipbuilding

British shipowner Union Maritime has ordered two platform supply vessels (PSVs) from China's Fujian Shipbuilding, as reported by Splash 247. Trade News and Baird Maritime specify that the order was formally placed by Union Vega Offshore, the joint venture Union Maritime formed with Norway's Vega Maritime. The vessels, with an overall length of 84 metres, will be built by Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding and delivered in 2028 and 2029.

Sources differ on the number of additional units covered by the agreement. Splash 247 states that the contract includes options for two further PSVs, while Baird Maritime reports that the options cover four additional units. Splash 247 identifies the vessels in Union Maritime's fleet register as MW656-1 and MW656-2, each with a deadweight capacity of 4,334 tonnes.

According to Baird Maritime, the PSVs will be hybrid battery-powered vessels designed by Norwegian naval architecture firm Breeze Ship Design. Each vessel will have a 900-square-metre deck, a moonpool, and accommodation for up to 44 crew members, and will be prepared for the future installation of a 50-tonne active heave compensation crane. Breeze noted that the design can be used both for conventional platform supply duties and for light construction work and geophysical and seismic support operations.

Union Maritime and Vega Maritime launched Union Vega Offshore in April 2026 to drive their growth in the offshore sector in West Africa and South America. At the time, Union Maritime had indicated that the joint venture's fleet would initially focus on accommodation units, anchor handling and supply vessels, and light subsea assets. The company also reported that the dynamic positioning accommodation vessel Vega Hilton had already been delivered to the joint venture and would be upgraded before supporting the operations of an oil company in West Africa.

The PSV order was formalised at a ceremony marking the 160th anniversary of the founding of Fujian Shipbuilding, according to Splash 247, which did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. The outlet noted that Union Maritime already has an established relationship with the Chinese group, with eight 113,600-dwt LR2 tankers currently under construction at Fujian, with deliveries expected between 2027 and 2029. At the same event, the shipyard also signed contracts with COSCO Shipping Bulk for sixteen 87,000-dwt multipurpose bulk carriers.