Griffon Marine has announced the successful sale of its BHT-130 series hovercraft ‘Solent Express’ to Caspian Offshore Construction (COC).
One of the leading providers of offshore marine support services, COC operates across the Caspian Sea region and the Middle East area.
Originally built as part of Griffon’s BHT-130 series, ‘Solent Express’, to be renamed ‘Caspian Eagle’ has enjoyed a distinguished operational history as a high-capacity passenger hovercraft. Designed for reliability and performance in demanding coastal environments, the vessel has demonstrated exceptional versatility over its lifespan, supporting ferry operations and showcasing the robust engineering that underpins Griffon’s hovercraft fleet.
The hovercraft will now begin a new chapter operating in the North Caspian as part of a fleet of icebreakers, tugs, accommodation and specialised vessels, ensuring safe and efficient service for oil and gas projects. The region presents uniquely challenging conditions, including extremely shallow waters and temperature extremes ranging from -35°C in winter to +40°C in summer. Hovercraft, and the newly-named Caspian Eagle are particularly well-suited to this environment, with their amphibious capability enabling safe, rapid response across water, mudflats and ice—conditions that are expected to become even more variable as the level of the North Caspian Sea fluctuates.
COC’s operations are focused on supporting critical oil and gas infrastructure, providing emergency standby cover and personnel transportation and evacuation services. The addition of Caspian Eagle will significantly enhance their ability to respond quickly and effectively in remote and hazardous locations.
Caspian Eagle will join her sister craft, Caspian Falcon—formerly known as Suna X—which is already part of COC fleet successfully operating in the area over last nine years. The Suna X design, a licensed variant of the BHT-130 built by Kvichak Marine Industries in Seattle, USA, was originally configured for passenger and cargo transport, serving remote Alaskan communities where conventional transport options were limited. Today, both craft will operate together to support offshore energy operations in one of the world’s most demanding marine environments.
Mark Downer, CEO of Griffon Marine, said, “Hovercraft are ultimately adaptable platforms, capable of operating in an extraordinary range of environments—from inland passenger ferry services to supporting complex oil and gas operations. It is a testament to the original build quality and design of these remarkable BHT-130 hovercraft that they continue to deliver value today and will do so long into the future, even in some of the most extreme operating conditions on earth.”
Timur Sharapiev, Director General, Caspian Offshore Construction added, “We are delighted to welcome the second of these highly capable BHT-130 hovercraft into our fleet. Their proven performance and versatility make them ideally suited to our operations in the North Caspian Sea, where reliability and adaptability are critical to ensuring the safety of offshore personnel.”
Griffon Marine’s continued support of the global hovercraft market provides durable, high-performance vessels that can be redeployed and repurposed to meet evolving operational demands worldwide.
