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Every additional hour an offshore vessel waits at the quayside can increase operational costs. Several factors can cause these unplanned mobilisation delays. For example, delays caused by logistics and paperwork issues can frequently happen when several separate suppliers are not working from the same plan. Appointing an integrated port services provider can help plan early, improve coordination and remove many of these potential gaps.
What is a mobilisation delay at the quayside?
A mobilisation delay at the quayside occurs when an offshore vessel takes longer than planned to prepare for an offshore assignment. This can happen when paperwork, equipment, or quayside services aren't ready on schedule. Unplanned waiting time at the quayside may be classified as non-productive time (NPT), as it delays the vessel's ability to begin its intended operations.
It is important to note the difference between quayside mobilisation delays, which occur during the preparation of a vessel for an offshore assignment, and delays that arise during offshore operations (e.g. equipment breakdowns, drilling problems or adverse weather conditions).
What causes delays when an offshore vessel mobilises?
There are several possible causes of delays when an offshore vessel mobilises, including:
- Paperwork and customs documentation
Processing issues or incorrect/missing documentation (e.g. customs clearance, vessel certificates, crew travel documents) can prevent a vessel from leaving the port on schedule and cause delays. - Poorly coordinated quayside services
Pilots, linesmen, fuel deliveries, and cranes must be available at the right time for operations to run on schedule. If these services are booked separately and not timed well, there can be delays. - Deck preparation
Equipment must be properly secured to the vessel before departure. This is known as sea-fastening. If the equipment needs to be repositioned or rechecked, this process can take longer than anticipated. - Late equipment delivery
Tools, spare parts and other equipment are sometimes stored far from the port. If their location isn't tracked, it can delay locating the required equipment. Similarly, if delivery is not timed well, equipment might arrive late and cause delays. - Too many suppliers
When port agency, freight forwarding, and crew change are handled by different companies, communication can break down. This can cause important information to get lost between them, leading to last-minute changes and delays. - Infrastructure and engineering constraints
Delays can be caused if the quayside pad does not have the necessary load-bearing capacity for heavy-lift cranes, or the port does not have sufficient depth or space for assembly. - Equipment failures during setup
Any mechanical breakdowns during the installation process can result in loading operations being delayed. - Regulatory and customs hold-ups
If equipment or parts get held up in customs, or there is an unexpected wait in securing the required marine warranty surveys and safety certifications, the vessel will be delayed. - Adverse weather
Severe winds or heavy swells can make heavy-lifting operations or upending of large structures unsafe. This can force operations to be suspended until weather conditions improve, causing delays to the vessel’s departure.
What are integrated port services?
Integrated port services involve one coordinated team handling everything a vessel needs for a port call. Instead of using separate suppliers for port agency, customs, cargo handling, storage, and vessel crew changes, operators have a single point of contact.
Clarksons Port Services offers integrated port services at key locations worldwide. The expert team acts as the link between the port and the offshore operation to keep everything running smoothly from arrival to departure. Integrated port services agents like Clarksons Port Services typically provide assistance at three key operational points:
Step 1: Check paperwork before the vessel arrives
Key documentation, such as cargo paperwork, crew documents, safety certificates, and customs paperwork, must be checked and cleared in advance, with any necessary pre-clearance arranged where permitted, to avoid hold-ups once the vessel reaches the berth.
Step 2: Line up quayside services at the same time
Fuel, fresh water, cranes, and cargo loading all need careful coordination. An integrated port services provider plans these together on one schedule so tasks happen side by side rather than one after another, wherever possible. This reduces time spent in port.
Step 3: Track people and equipment in real time
Digital tracking tools help operators monitor personnel movements and equipment locations. Personnel on Board (POB) systems help coordinate crew changes and maintain accurate records of who is on board, while asset-tracking systems provide visibility of equipment and materials. Together, these tools can help ensure that the right people and equipment are available when needed, reducing the risk of delays.
Storing equipment close to the berth can also help to avoid possible delivery delays because it is already nearby when the vessel arrives.
Key takeaways
- Mobilisation delays are costly – Unplanned time spent waiting at the quayside can increase operational costs without contributing to the offshore assignment.
- There are several common causes of delays – Delays can be caused by missing paperwork, late equipment deliveries, poor scheduling and communication breakdowns between suppliers.
- Integrated port services teams help reduce delays – Using one coordinated team to take care of preparing a vessel for departure helps reduce communication gaps, scheduling conflicts and delays between suppliers.
- Preparation and coordination are key – Advance planning, running tasks in parallel and tracking people and storing equipment near the berth all help vessels leave on time.
- When it works best – Integrated services help most on multi-supplier mobilisations, such as an SOV or CSV mobilising for a wind farm campaign.
