Refurbishment gives JFE vessels new lease of life

Two veteran vessels in the James Fisher fleet have been extensively refitted and refurbished as part of a bid to ensure they can continue serving customers safely and efficiently for another two years. 

The Mersey Fisher and Thames Fisher have been working hard over the last 23 years to fulfil busy schedules, often in extreme and challenging environmental conditions and achieving quick port turnarounds to maintain schedules and ensure efficient deliveries to customers. They were due for retirement but will now continue to trade carrying clean petroleum products from refinery to storage facility on the east coast of the UK at least until they are 25. 

‘A trading life of 23 years is on the upper end of normal oil major acceptability in north west Europe, but the fact that both Mersey Fisher and Thames Fisher have been accepted to trade up to the age of 25 is a testament to the excellent safety record and ongoing performance of these vessels and their crews,’

says Mark Armistead, fleet manager at James Fisher Shipping Services.

This summer, the Mersey Fisher underwent a two-week intense maintenance programme and drydock to pass a full health check with flying colours, and the Thames Fisher spent six days in Sunderland having a refit to her machinery and cargo equipment, as well as fresh paintwork to her superstructure and cargo deck.  

Both are now back operating between Immingham and the Scottish ports of Aberdeen, Peterhead and Inverness.