Offshore supply vessels: An emerging maritime industry

Over the last 13 years the sampled offshore workboat fleet has nearly doubled in size and vessels types have shifted to meet new work requirements. Maritime employment on these vessels may be equivalent to 8% of the world total for vessels over 100 get and is expected to grow. In the United States over the last 34 years the number of new jobs created in this activity approximates the number of jobs lost from the decline of us flag deepsea vessels. Vessels have been, and continue to be, administered primarily by us firms although a substantial broadening of international participation occured with the development of the North Sea and may also occur in the Far East. Expanding offshore development, a function of where remaining petroleum reserve lie, will require technological changes for success in deeper water and/or ice conditions.