Ugland buys seven large North Sea barges to meet increased demand.
When Viking’s barge fleet was presented for sale in October 2012, Ugland Shipping AS took the opportunity to acquire the entire 7-unit fleet. The transfer of ownership took place on 14 December 2012.
The Lloyd classed flat top barges are of the so-called Standard North Sea Type with dimensions 300 x 90 x 20 ft and were built at Sevmash Yard in Russia during the period 1994-1999.
The barges have been renamed UR 1, UR 2, UR 3, UR 5, UR 6, UR 7 and UR 8, replacing the former VB letters with UR. Following this acquirement Ugland’s versatile barge fleet totals 20 units, including two semi-submersibles.
Ugland Shipping AS has another two barge newbuildings on order (UR 901 and UR 902), presently being built at Dalian yard in China for delivery in June this year. With the same dimensions as the newly aquired seven-unit strong Viking fleet, these barges have 30-tonne deck strength per square metre and a built-in ballast water treatment system.
After delivery of the latter units, Ugland’s barge fleet will total 22 units, whereof 18 of the Standard North Sea Type.
