Offshore support vessel owners in the North Sea are facing the question of whether to operate ships as day rates drop to historic lows.

K Line's 5,000-dwt KL Barentsfjord (built 2011) has been reported fixed by Premier Oil for 21 days of supply duties at just £2,000 ($2,437) per day, down from the previous rate of £3,000 that was already seen as a rock-bottom level.