The two brothers, Mr Hans Andrias Joensen and Mr Gunnbjørn Joensen, are holding their own. Since the founded the company Thor in 1994, they have continually expanded their activities. Activity begun on a small scale in 1990, and upto 1997 mainly encompassed fishing vessels. Today, their activities encompass the offshore industry, fishing, and cable and pipe-laying. They have established themselves to such an extent within the offshore industry, that they deliver services to the world’s largest seismic companies.
Mr Gunnbjørn Joensen admits the pace has been fierce since they founded the company thirteen years ago, but this is due not least to the many good staff they have acquired, he adds.
Two new seismic supply vessels
The Thor fleet today counts 24 vessels, but the fairytale does not stop here, because in mid-November 2007, the new seismic supply vessel “Thor Alpha” is set to join the fleet and in the autumn of next year a sister vessel, which has not yet been named will join.
The hull of the Thor Alpha was floated from the Skála shipyard dock on the 21 of July 2007 and is currently being completed. It should be ready to begin operations by mid-November, after it has been to the Danish town of Hirtshals to sandblasted and painted.
The Thor Alpha is 55 metres long and will cost in the region of DKK 76 million. The sister vessel, which is expected to be ready in mid-September next year is expected to cost app. DKK 80 million. Mr Gunnbjørn Joensen says the Thor Alpha will set course directly for Mexico when it is ready. The company is providing offshore services all over the world, so there is nothing strange in this situation.
To Aberdeen to meet friends
Asked what errands they have at Offshore Europe 2007, Mr Joensen says they first and foremost go to meet cooperation partners and visit old friends: -“We will exhibit at the Faroe joint stand, hold meetings and ply our cooperation partners”, he says.
It is rare to sign new contracts at a conference, but a conference can lay the basis for coming activities.
Thor has become a provider of services in its field and according to Mr Joensen the company has enough tasks for all its supply vessels.
It is important for a company like Thor to participate at such conferences as the company is active globally with most of its activities outside of the Faroes.
At the moment, app. 500 people are employed by the Thor group.
