5 Steps to Optimize Your Offshore Vessel Search and Save Time and Money
Dec 27, 2024
In the offshore industry, efficiency is everything. Whether you're managing short-term charters or looking for long-term solutions, the process of finding the right vessel can be a time-consuming and costly headache. Between endless calls, limited visibility on fleet availability, and slow response times, traditional methods often result in delays and increased project costs.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many operators and charterers face similar challenges. But optimizing your search for offshore vessels can save you both time and money – here’s how.
1. Define Your Requirements Clearly
Before diving into your search, clarity is essential. The offshore sector is diverse, with vessels suited for very specific tasks, such as tugboats for towing, AHTS for anchor handling, or PSVs for supply duties.
Key factors to define include:
Project Scope: Short-term charter or long-term deployment?
Capacity Needs: Deck area, load capacity, or bollard pull?
Location: Where do you need the vessel? Proximity impacts mobilization costs.
Budget: Do you prioritize cost, performance, or a balance of both?
Taking time to specify your exact requirements upfront reduces the risk of mismatches and helps streamline your search.
2. Expand Your Search Beyond Traditional Channels
Many professionals rely heavily on established brokers or limited contact networks to source vessels. While these channels are valuable, they can also be restrictive.
To ensure you’re accessing the widest range of options, consider platforms or tools that provide global visibility into vessel availability. Modern solutions allow you to filter by location, type, and specifications, ensuring that the vessel you select matches your project needs.
3. Consider Operational Efficiency and Costs Together
Finding the cheapest vessel on paper doesn’t always translate to lower overall costs. Factors like fuel efficiency, vessel age, and mobilization distance can significantly impact your project’s bottom line.
For example:
An older AHTS may come at a lower day rate but cost more in fuel.
Mobilizing a vessel from a distant location can negate any upfront savings.
It’s important to weigh short-term savings against operational efficiency to avoid surprises down the line.
4. Leverage Data to Make Smarter Decisions
In today’s market, data is your ally. Access to real-time information about vessel availability, specifications, and owner details empowers you to make informed decisions faster.
A data-driven approach helps you:
Compare multiple options side by side.
Analyze metrics like deck capacity, speed, and vessel age.
Identify patterns to optimize your vessel selection process over time.
For teams juggling multiple projects, leveraging data eliminates guesswork and keeps projects on schedule.
5. Build Reliable Partnerships for the Future
The offshore industry thrives on trust and relationships. Building strong partnerships with reliable vessel owners, brokers, and service providers ensures smoother operations in the future.
Platforms that connect charterers and vessel owners directly can help create these relationships, making vessel procurement faster and more efficient over time. Look for solutions that combine the convenience of digital tools with human support when needed.
The Bottom Line
Finding the right offshore vessel doesn’t have to be a drawn-out process. By clearly defining your needs, expanding your search, and leveraging data-driven tools, you can optimize your procurement process, reduce costs, and deliver projects more efficiently.
Platforms like Seavium are designed to help professionals in the offshore industry navigate these challenges. With access to a global fleet of vessels and tools to filter options in just a few clicks, Seavium streamlines vessel sourcing while maintaining the human connection you value.
Ready to Simplify Your Vessel Search?
Discover how easy vessel procurement can be. Connect to the fleet that meets your needs today, free of charge, on Seavium.
In the offshore industry, efficiency is everything. Whether you're managing short-term charters or looking for long-term solutions, the process of finding the right vessel can be a time-consuming and costly headache. Between endless calls, limited visibility on fleet availability, and slow response times, traditional methods often result in delays and increased project costs.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many operators and charterers face similar challenges. But optimizing your search for offshore vessels can save you both time and money – here’s how.
1. Define Your Requirements Clearly
Before diving into your search, clarity is essential. The offshore sector is diverse, with vessels suited for very specific tasks, such as tugboats for towing, AHTS for anchor handling, or PSVs for supply duties.
Key factors to define include:
Project Scope: Short-term charter or long-term deployment?
Capacity Needs: Deck area, load capacity, or bollard pull?
Location: Where do you need the vessel? Proximity impacts mobilization costs.
Budget: Do you prioritize cost, performance, or a balance of both?
Taking time to specify your exact requirements upfront reduces the risk of mismatches and helps streamline your search.
2. Expand Your Search Beyond Traditional Channels
Many professionals rely heavily on established brokers or limited contact networks to source vessels. While these channels are valuable, they can also be restrictive.
To ensure you’re accessing the widest range of options, consider platforms or tools that provide global visibility into vessel availability. Modern solutions allow you to filter by location, type, and specifications, ensuring that the vessel you select matches your project needs.
3. Consider Operational Efficiency and Costs Together
Finding the cheapest vessel on paper doesn’t always translate to lower overall costs. Factors like fuel efficiency, vessel age, and mobilization distance can significantly impact your project’s bottom line.
For example:
An older AHTS may come at a lower day rate but cost more in fuel.
Mobilizing a vessel from a distant location can negate any upfront savings.
It’s important to weigh short-term savings against operational efficiency to avoid surprises down the line.
4. Leverage Data to Make Smarter Decisions
In today’s market, data is your ally. Access to real-time information about vessel availability, specifications, and owner details empowers you to make informed decisions faster.
A data-driven approach helps you:
Compare multiple options side by side.
Analyze metrics like deck capacity, speed, and vessel age.
Identify patterns to optimize your vessel selection process over time.
For teams juggling multiple projects, leveraging data eliminates guesswork and keeps projects on schedule.
5. Build Reliable Partnerships for the Future
The offshore industry thrives on trust and relationships. Building strong partnerships with reliable vessel owners, brokers, and service providers ensures smoother operations in the future.
Platforms that connect charterers and vessel owners directly can help create these relationships, making vessel procurement faster and more efficient over time. Look for solutions that combine the convenience of digital tools with human support when needed.
The Bottom Line
Finding the right offshore vessel doesn’t have to be a drawn-out process. By clearly defining your needs, expanding your search, and leveraging data-driven tools, you can optimize your procurement process, reduce costs, and deliver projects more efficiently.
Platforms like Seavium are designed to help professionals in the offshore industry navigate these challenges. With access to a global fleet of vessels and tools to filter options in just a few clicks, Seavium streamlines vessel sourcing while maintaining the human connection you value.
Ready to Simplify Your Vessel Search?
Discover how easy vessel procurement can be. Connect to the fleet that meets your needs today, free of charge, on Seavium.