Bourbon, Eni Sign Five-Year Crewboat Contract

Service company Bourbon has signed a five-year contract with oil major Eni for the renewal of its crewboat fleet in the Republic of Congo, covering the charter of six next-generation S200X-G2 vessels.

The agreement aims to reduce emissions from offshore personnel transport and will see the gradual delivery of the new units between June and December 2026.

To maintain operational continuity, Bourbon will deploy six temporary “front runner” vessels until the new fleet enters service. The new 20-meter vessels are designed to meet Eni’s operational and environmental requirements, drawing on the design of the Surfer 200x-G series delivered in 2024.

The S200X-G2 boats will feature an optimized hydrodynamic hull, improved propulsion systems, and an integrated energy performance monitoring system. These enhancements are expected to reduce fuel consumption during transit by around 20% compared to the previous generation.

Each vessel will offer seating for 30 passengers, equipped with USB ports, air conditioning and large-format screens. The design also includes a 25-square-meter forward deck for small cargo and an upgraded navigation bridge for better visibility and pilot ergonomics.

The six new units will operate on Eni’s offshore fields, supporting its two Floating Natural Gas Liquefaction units, with Bourbon providing reinforced local support.

François Leslé, CEO, Bourbon Mobility, said, “This contract confirms our capacity to deliver reliable and responsible maritime solutions. With this new fleet, we strengthen our commitment to more sustainable offshore mobility.”