Fugro Wins Four-Year Extension of Heerema Framework Agreement

Heerema Marine Contractors has extended its global framework agreement with Fugro for another four years, running from January 2027 to December 2030. Fugro will continue to provide positioning and survey support for Heerema’s fleet of heavy-lift vessels on offshore decommissioning, transport and installation, and wind projects worldwide. The renewal builds on an initial four-year agreement the two companies signed in February 2022.

 

Scope of the Renewed Agreement

 

Under the extended framework, Fugro will provide geo-data, survey and positioning services to support Heerema’s transport, installation and removal of offshore structures. These include oil and gas platforms and offshore wind foundations, often weighing thousands of tonnes and handled by some of the world’s largest crane vessels. Such operations demand precise positioning and continuous visibility of vessels, structures and the seabed in challenging offshore conditions. Fugro’s role is to give Heerema’s project teams an accurate picture of asset location, movement and installation progress throughout each campaign.

From 2027, Fugro will also use remote operations more widely to support Heerema’s offshore work. Through its global network of remote operations centers, Fugro can oversee offshore activity in real time without placing as many specialists on board. This approach can improve efficiency and safety while giving more flexibility in scheduling and staffing. Remote support has become central to Fugro’s strategy, reducing personnel offshore across its business.

 

Building on the 2022 Agreement

 

The original agreement, announced by Fugro in February 2022, covered survey and positioning support services on board Heerema’s heavy-lift crane vessels. Fugro deployed vision-based technologies including QuickVision, 3Direct and InclinoCam, combined with remote services and expert teams. These supported installation and decommissioning campaigns across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. The tools help crews identify seabed structures and debris and position structures with centimeter-level precision.

That work has included offshore wind projects. Fugro’s 2023 annual report notes that its QuickVision technology supported Heerema with turbine installation for Parkwind’s Arcadis Ost 1 wind farm in the Baltic Sea. Vision-based positioning reduces the need for divers or remotely operated vehicles during some lifts. It can also allow operations to continue in a wider weather window, which is valuable for tightly scheduled offshore campaigns.

 

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Fugro’s Perspective

 

Thijs Prins, Fugro’s Service Line Director for Marine Asset Integrity, said successful offshore projects depend on accurate positioning, dependable geo-data and close collaboration between partners. He said the past four years had built a strong working relationship with Heerema and a deep understanding of its operational needs. Prins added that the extension creates further opportunities to collaborate on technology and innovation. That cooperation supports increasingly complex offshore campaigns.

For Fugro, the renewal secures multi-year work with one of the world’s leading heavy-lift contractors. Framework agreements of this kind give service providers more predictable revenue while letting clients call off services as projects arise. The deal also shows continued demand for Fugro’s asset integrity services alongside its better-known site characterization work. Long-term relationships with major contractors are central to Fugro’s growth plans.

 

Market Demand Behind the Renewal

 

The extension reflects strong activity across Heerema’s core markets. Decommissioning of aging oil and gas platforms, particularly in the North Sea, is expected to keep heavy-lift vessels busy for years. At the same time, offshore wind developers need large crane vessels to install foundations, substations and other structures as projects grow in size. Both markets require precise survey and positioning support to manage the risks of lifting very large structures at sea.

As structures get heavier and water depths increase, error tolerances narrow and the value of accurate real-time data rises. Remote and vision-based technologies help contractors meet those demands while controlling costs and offshore headcount. By locking in Fugro’s support through 2030, Heerema secures a consistent service partner for its fleet across global campaigns. For both companies, the agreement provides stability in a sector where scheduling and reliability are critical.

 

Source: Fugro