Fossil Energy – FPSO
Off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, maritime logistics firm Boskalis recently completed a complex full-scope operation involving the disconnection, towage, and eventual overhaul transport of a 403-meter-long FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) unit – demonstrating the capabilities of its Marine Services division in one of West Africa’s key offshore zones.
The FPSO, which had been moored for operations in Ivorian waters, was disconnected from eight mooring lines in a meticulously coordinated offshore manoeuvre.
The project required not just brute strength but precision, especially with ocean conditions varying by the hour. The operation marked another example of offshore logistics becoming increasingly dependent on seamless integration between multiple assets.
Working in tandem, the Manta, BOKA Expedition, and BOKA Forward maintained the FPSO’s position. Meanwhile, the BOKA Falcon took the lead in disconnecting the mooring lines, deploying its 150-ton crane. Each mooring chain, heavy with tension and weight, was carefully lowered to the seabed. These chains will remain there temporarily, secured in place until the FPSO returns in 2026. That’s not a common offshore solution—leaving lines in situ like this demands exact documentation and seabed analysis.
The next phase involved towing the massive vessel to Dubai, where it is now set to undergo a comprehensive overhaul before returning to service. The BOKA Expedition and BOKA Forward led the intercontinental tow, an ocean passage of over 6,000 nautical miles. Moving a structure of this scale over that distance without incident is no small feat. Timing, fuel planning, and route adjustments played critical roles throughout the trip.
What makes this job noteworthy isn’t just the scope—it’s the streamlined, end-to-end delivery. In a sector often dependent on multiple vendors, Boskalis provided every part of the service chain. From maintaining the FPSO’s stability during disconnection to long-distance towing and future reinstallations, it’s a rare example of single-source accountability in offshore logistics.
The cooperation between Boskalis and its client MODEC was also key. According to Boskalis, the collaboration between vessel crews and project teams helped ensure the operation met both safety standards and tight scheduling demands. No surprises there; when moving billion-dollar assets in offshore energy, precision is everything.
As the FPSO begins its refurbishment in Dubai, Boskalis is already preparing for its next phase: the return tow and reinstallation planned for 2026. Until then, those eight mooring lines rest quietly off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire, like placeholders in a story still unfolding.
