The next 12 months in offshore will be decided by three practical shifts: DP2 is booking earlier, CTVs are moving to scheduled services, and low‑carbon fuels are finally operational, not experimental.

DP2 tightness isn’t a headline—it’s a planning constraint. Operators are consolidating scopes (heavy lifts, IMR, cable support) into fewer, longer campaigns, which favors modern DP2 tonnage with strong station‑keeping and low fuel curves. Owners prefer multi‑month cover, so spot availability looks fine until it suddenly isn’t. Operationally: lock DP2 options early, define weather and lay‑by terms clearly, and position vessels closer to site to cut steaming time and CO₂.

CTVs are becoming scheduled transport. Wind farms are shifting from ad‑hoc day charters to fixed time slots, multi‑port turnarounds, and service‑level guarantees. We’re seeing hybrid pricing (day rate + per‑seat or per‑mile) and tighter port call windows. That rewards operators who can publish reliable timetables and penalizes last‑minute changes. For charterers, the win is predictable transfers and better turbine access; the trade‑off is committing to capacity earlier in the season.

Low‑carbon fuels are moving from pilots to playbooks. HVO blends are increasingly available for nearshore works; hybrid CTVs and battery‑assist on AHTS/tugs are cutting idle burn; and carbon‑intensity clauses are creeping into contracts. The cost premium is smaller when you de‑risk via proximity: less transit, fewer weather resets, fewer bunkers—plus a cleaner emissions ledger for your ESG reporting.

Takeaway: book capability, not just tonnage—DP2 redundancy, scheduled CTV slots, and fuel strategy will decide schedule and cost in 2026.

If you’d like to discuss your offshore projects, reach us anytime at sales@seavium.com.