A Platform Support Vessel (PSV) is a vessel specifically designed to supply offshore oil & gas platforms. Despite having many functions, the main task of PSV vessels is the transportation of goods (bulk, liquid, or dry cargo) and personnel to and from offshore oil & gas platforms or other offshore structures.
A platform support vessel is, at its broadest and most literal of implications, a much-needed support ship. Synonymously referred to as Offshore Supply Vessels (OSVs), platform supply vessels help to sustain the demands of the constructional and maintenance projects thus fulfilling a vital necessity in the nature of operations at the high seas.
A platform support vessel can be custom-built to suit the operational needs of its operators. Consequentially, not all PSVs are employed to transit drilling rig platforms or sub-water cables to help in the oil excavation operations. They are also utilised for the purposes of curbing the extent of oil spillage in the high seas and also as handy vessels with fire-controlling instrumentation.
Presently, the need for PSVs has started to be felt more and more as compared to the past few years. This is on account of the constant rise in the number of operations in the high seas, which has in turn resulted in the advancement in the construction of the supply vessels.
This demand fuelled need for more of these vessels, coupled with the benefits of modern technologies can very well be considered as a positive thrust in a very viable and highly necessitated medium of operation.
