Tough trading conditions in the North Sea have resulted in one owner laying up a 2004-built PSV - and with day rates expected to remain low for the rest of the year there could be more of this to come. The vessel in question is the Viking Nereus, a PSV of UT755L design, which was being traded on the North Sea spot market by owner Eidesvik until mid-August.It is expected to remain laid up off Norway for the rest of 2012, with another tough winter period expected for vessel owners as a result of high availability and a limited amount of work. The owner took the decision to lay it up after its last spot fixture in August, on behalf of EnQuest, resulted in a reported day rate of just GBP 4,500. Prior to that, the vessel had been taking in around GBP 5,000 to 6,000 for some spot fixtures - rates that would very likely have resulted in a loss for the owner. Especially so, given that Eidesvik had only recently bought the vessel, paying USD 24 million to Great Offshore for it in May 2012.
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