Bourbon, International leader in marine services for modern offshore

Message from the Chairman

As people throughout the world suffer the painful consequences of the excesses of financial activities on the real economy, uncertainty and capital losses are fuelling sometimes legitimate questions about the future of businesses. BOURBON would like to share its convictions in this context.

Firstly, on the Offshore market, our most solid and demanding clients, especially the major international oil companies and the national oil companies of the leading producer countries, have the financial resources and strategic intention to maintain their exploration-development investment program and the production-maintenance of existing offshore fields. In the long term, these companies are looking to maintain their production level and thus the renewal rate of their reserves. In the short term, they favor partnerships with suppliers who can contribute effectively and sustainably to cutting their costs.

BOURBON’s massive and ambitious policy of investment in innovative, safe and highly productive offshore vessels demonstrates our capacity to anticipate and respond fully to their requirements for the future.

With diesel-electric propulsion to significantly reduce energy consumption and an innovative design that has deck-mounted generators creating additional hold capacity, as well as the entire series being equipped with DP 2 dynamic positioning, these vessels enable clients to generate significant productivity gains on operations. They are multipurpose and operate equally well in deepwater and shallow offshore. BOURBON also proposes competitive solutions for inspection, maintenance, and repair, and fast passenger transport with a service that is economical compared to helicopters. We can thus provide our clients with the benefits of our significant investment program for cost control.

In the current economic climate, taking delivery of one vessel every 12 days, as we will be doing through to 2012, could be perceived – wrongly – as a concern. The strength of BOURBON’s strategy lies in choices that have led it to a unique position: investing in innovative, safe and highly productive vessels that help clients cut costs, and offering these vessels in a continental offshore market where 700 vessels over 30 years old will soon become obsolete.

Jacques de Chateauvieux
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer