West African Oil Pipeline Benin Consortium WAPCO awarded Redwise Maritime Service the contract to deliver their brand new support vessels from Guangzhou to the Republic of Benin.
West African Oil Pipeline Benin Consortium WAPCO awarded Redwise Maritime Service the contract to deliver their brand new support vessels from Guangzhou to the Republic of Benin. WAPCO, a subsidiary of CNPC, went through a lengthy tender and selection process, spanning in excess of six months and including company visit and audit before awarding the contract.
Both vessels will be homeported at Sèmè a new port East of Cotonou to support the SPM terminal and end station of the Niger-Benin oil export pipeline, stretching an astonishing 1.950 kilometres, mainly through the Sahel dessert.
The actual delivery voyage went from Guijiang Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. In Guangzhou via Hong Kong for bunkers, Port Klang to pick up a security team, Cape Town for fresh provisions to the outskirts of the HRA area in the Gulf of Guinea, from where the vessels were escorted by a vessel of the Benin Navy to Sèmè.
A novice to Redwise was the registration with the Benin ship register, being used to work with many registers. This was another first though whereby we worked hand-in-hand with our principals to arrange for accreditation of DNV to audit both Redwise office and the vessels for full compliance with ISM, ISPS and MLC.
This twin delivery voyage called upon the full service package of Redwise. Apart from the normal voyage aspects, Redwise arranged for the insurances of the vessels: H&M, P&I and K&R covers, compliance with Marine Warranty Survey requirements, a China based security company, stationing 3 armed guards on each vessel, procurement of inventory, tools and spares, vessel certification and of course the regular components: full crew, all fuel and lubes needed for the voyage, port handling and clearance etc.
Both vessels had a crew complement of eight Chinese members. These two ships marked the 9th and 10th vessels delivered by Redwise with an entirely Chinese crew for the full voyage. This approach began during COVID to guarantee vessels remained operational. Additionally, another five crew members were present for a portion of the voyage.
Redwise has created its’ own pool of seafares in China, specific for shipdelivery voyages and in co-operation with our Chinese manning agent who were fully audited by Redwise for MLC compliance.
Redwise Maritime Services BV roots go back to 1906 and will be delivering a total of 50 vessel under own power in 2023. Together with its’ sister companies Redwise Maritime Recruitment BV, Redwise DCP BV and Redwise Chartering BV over 70 Dutch seafarers are permanently employed and working together with their international colleagues in its’ niche markets, that include deep sea pilotage and exploitation of the survey vessel ARCTIC. Supported by a shore-based staff of 20 based in Huizen, The Netherlands, working world wide supporting its principals.
