Farstad Shipping
 | |
| Allmennaksjeselskap | |
| Traded as | OSE: FAR |
| Industry | Shipping |
| Founded | 1956 |
| Headquarters | Ålesund, Norway |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Karl-Johan Bakken (CEO) |
| Products | AHTS, PSV, SUBSEA |
Number of employees | 2 200 |
| Website | www.farstad.com |
Farstad Shipping (OSE: FAR) is a publicly listed supply shipping company with corporate headquarters in Ålesund, Norway. The company has approximately 2,200 employees whereof 1,965 are employed offshore.
Farstad Shipping focuses on large, advanced vessels in the anchor handling, supply and subsea segments. The company's operations are mainly concentrated to the markets in North- West Europe, Brazil and Indian Pacific with offices in Norway, Scotland, Australia, Singapore and Brazil. The company is owned 46% by the Farstad family. Farstad Shipping has been listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange since 1988.
History
Farstad Shipping was founded as a traditional shipping company in 1956. The company was one of the first operators in the North Sea that decided to focus on offshore service vessels. In 1973 the company contracted its first supply vessel, an anchor handling vessel of the type UT 704.
Until the mid-1980s the company grew through various forms of collaboration both with regard to ownership and operations. The acquisition of two service vessel fleets during the second half of the 80's were important events in the further development of the company. At the same time the company built independent operational and marketing functions. During this period, the ship owning part was gathered in one company.
From 1990, renewal and growth of the fleet has largely taken place by selling older vessels and implementing a considerable newbuild programme. This growth has been founded in the Norwegian maritime cluster. Farstad Shipping's international presence increased significantly during the 2000s.
Operations
Farstad Shipping is currently among the six largest companies worldwide in the market for large and medium-sized supply vessels. About 63% of this world fleet is in North-West Europe, Brazil and Indian Pacific where the company's activities are mainly concentrated. Farstad Shipping has a market share measured in the number of vessels of about 6% in these markets.
Farstad Shipping's fleet consists of the following vessel types:
- Anchor handling tug supply vessels: Specially designed vessels for anchor handling and towing offshore platforms, barges and production modules/ vessels.
- Platform supply vessels: Specially designed vessels for transporting supplies and equipment to and from offshore installations. These vessels transport general cargo, primarily in containers.
- SUBSEA: Vessels specially designed for operations at great depths, installation and maintenance of seabed facilities.