Craig Group welcomes new vessels to its fleet

North Star Shipping, operator of Craig Group’s fleet of vessels, has recently added and launched a new IMT 958 multi-role emergency response vessel (ERRV) to its fleet. The addition is Craig Group’s first F-class vessel, the Grampian Fortress, which was recently christened in the Balenciaga Shipyard, Spain.

Two new F-class emergency response vessels

At 58 m long, the Grampian Fortress is equipped with daughter craft and fast rescue craft, as well as having the ability to transfer and store limited deck cargo and provide offshore locations with fresh water and fuel.

Part of a large investment plan

Since 2003, Craig Group has invested a total of £350 million in 26 new vessels for North Star Shipping.

Grampian Fortress is the first of two F-class vessels for Craig Group – a second F-Class ERRV, the Grampian Freedom, will join the Grampian Fortress later in the year. These additions are part of the group’s £110 million investment which has already seen eight vessels delivered to Craig Group in the last two years.

Comment from Craig Group

Douglas Craig, Chairman and Managing Director of Craig Group, said: “We are pleased and proud to launch the Grampian Fortress in Spain and look forward to taking delivery of her in the next six months. She signals the final steps in our most recent investment in the fleet which will conclude with the launch of the Grampian Freedom.”

Addition of a D-class vessel to Craig Group’s fleet

North Star Shipping has also announced it had taken delivery of its eighth and final D-class IMT-950 ERRV, the Grampian Devotion, to be built as part of the current investment. The D-class vessels are fitted with the same rescue and recovery facilities that are found on the latest F-Class vessels.

Adapted from press release by David Bizley

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