Offshore Vessel Charter West Africa 2026:
PSV, AHTS and Support Vessel Guide

By Pius Nobei, CEO · Published January 2026

West Africa's offshore oil and gas sector continues to drive significant demand for platform supply vessels (PSV), anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTS), and specialized offshore support vessels. Nigeria's deepwater operations at Bonga, Agbami, Egina, and Preowei fields, combined with new developments across the Gulf of Guinea, create sustained charter opportunities for vessel owners and operators.

Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) Charter Nigeria

Platform Supply Vessels are essential for transporting supplies, equipment, and personnel between shore bases and offshore installations. Nigerian deepwater operations require PSVs with specific capabilities including DP2 positioning, large deck capacity, and tank capacities suitable for extended supply runs.

Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) Charter Nigeria

AHTS vessels combine anchor handling capabilities with supply functions, making them essential for offshore construction, rig moves, and emergency response operations. Nigerian offshore operations require AHTS with high bollard pull and modern anchor handling equipment.

Deepwater Offshore Operations in Nigeria

Nigeria's deepwater sector includes several major producing fields operated by international oil companies. These operations require specialized offshore support vessels with specific technical capabilities and regulatory compliance.

• •Bonga Field (Shell): FPSO operations with dedicated PSV/AHTS fleet
• •Agbami Field (Chevron/Star Deep Water): Deepwater production support
• •Egina Field (TotalEnergies): Recent development with modern vessel requirements
• •Preowei Field (Seplat/Bronte): Emerging deepwater opportunity
• •Akpo Field (TotalEnergies): Established deepwater production

BIMCO Charter Party Terms for Offshore Vessels

Offshore vessel charters in West Africa typically use BIMCO standard charter party forms including SUPPLYTIME for time charters and OFFSHORESUPPLY for supply vessel contracts. These standardized forms provide clarity on vessel performance, off-hire provisions, and liability allocation.

Regulatory Requirements for Offshore Operations

Offshore support vessel operations in Nigerian waters require compliance with NIMASA regulations, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) requirements, and international maritime safety standards. Vessels must maintain valid class certificates, flag state documentation, and P&I Club coverage.

Charter Offshore Vessels with Calmwaters

Calmwaters Shipping has extensive experience chartering offshore support vessels for Nigerian oil and gas operations. We maintain relationships with PSV and AHTS owners worldwide and can match vessel specifications to your operational requirements. Our team handles all documentation including BIMCO charter parties, NIMASA compliance, and port clearance.