April 30 - Hovertrans Solutions, a newly-created designer and manufacturer of hoverbarges for heavy lift operations in difficult terrain in the global oil and gas, and specialist transportation industries, is to make its debut at the Offshore Technology C

The company was formed in early 2010 as a joint venture between the UK-based Hovertransport Consultants Ltd, Clearstone Investments LLC and Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine).

ST Marine holds 51 percent of Hovertrans Solutions, while the other two companies hold the remaining stake equally.

Hovertrans Solutions will seek to exploit the use of hoverbarges for heavy lift in difficult terrain in the global oil and gas, and specialist transportation industries.

The amphibious hoverbarge is capable of carrying thousands of tonnes in payload over swamps or wetlands, tundra, ice and shallow water, and opens up possibilities for oil and gas exploration and remote field development. The hoverbarge exerts only 1psi ground pressure whilst on hover, minimising any environmental footprint.

Being majority owned by STM arine allows it access to ST Marine's US operations with VT Halter Marine shipyards in Mississippi. STM are part of a group with shipyards in Singapore and the USA.