No. As we do not require a production support vessel (PSV) we do not need to do the following transfers to the Shuttle Transport And Resupply Ship (STARS):
- Transfer of nodules from the PSV
- Transfer of fuel to the PSV
- Transport of equipment and provisions to the PSV
- Transfer of personnel to and from the PSV per crew rotation.
This will be very expensive, and there are safety concerns. It will also reduce the number of days a year the mining operation can operate.
For more details, see STARS; the missing link in dsm supply chain.
