The Siberian 200 tonne payload hover barge was designed as a support vessel for oil exploration in the artic, comprising high grade steel to withstand freezing temperatures of -40 degrees centigrade.

It was equipped with an air cushioned lift system, powered by Caterpillar diesel generators, so the vessel could travel over arctic tundra in summer when the arctic ice shelf melts.

The vessel was designed by Hovertrans and built by Fergusons Shipyard of Glasgow for a Russian oil company but remained moored on the banks of the River Clyde after Hovertrans ran into financial difficulty when the commissioning company pulled out of the asset acquisition. Two asset agents had spent two years trying to remarket The Siberian without any success when John Pye Business Assets department were asked to provide valuation and remarketing support.

We conducted an extensive bespoke marketing campaign to international oil and shipping industries. The asset successfully sold by private treaty 12 months later.