End of an era for crew on board FPSO Marlim Sul

It was a bittersweet day for crew members as they transferred off the FPSO Marlim Sul for the final time on 22 April after 13 years.

The unit, operating primarily off the coast of Brazil in the oil field of the same name, was recently decommissioned marking the successful completion of the project. She’ll be towed to Malaysia for lay down.

The V.Ships Offshore crew first joined the unit at Keppel Shipyard, Singapore, in September 2003. It was the first FPSO unit to which V.Ships Offshore provided crew management on behalf of owner SBM Offshore. Today, V.Ships Offshore provides crew to 13 SBM-owned FPSOs.

FPSO Marlim Sul first delivered oil in June 2005 and went on to produce 100,000 barrels a day – a new record for the Marlim Sul field. It did this against a back drop of high quality safe operations during the unit’s entire lifetime.

Stephen Barretto, maintenance operator on board the unit between 2003 and 2016, shares his memories of FPSO Marlim Sul: “I joined Marlim Sul as a maintenance operator on 25 October 2003 at the Keppel shipyard in Singapore. After conversion, we sailed to our final destination of Campos Basin, Brazil. It was a different type of ship and a challenge to work on. I still can't believe how fast the years went by - 13 years of my life. It was my second home.

“The vessel will always have special place in my heart. I thank all my colleagues who always worked hard together for the success of Marlim Sul.”