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Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd has clinched a contract worth S$230 million to build six new Anchor Handling Tug/Supply (AHTS) vessels for Gulfmark Offshore, Inc. Two of these six 10,700 bhp AHTS vessels of 2,700 dwt each will be built in the Keppel Nantong Shipyard. This is the first contract clinched for Keppel’s newly acquired shipyard in China.
The first vessel is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2007, with progressive deliveries subsequently till the final delivery in the third quarter of 2008. Customised to Gulfmark’s requirements, the six vessels are of Keppel’s Marine Technology Development’s (MTD) very own design. They are being built to meet the growing demand of Gulfmark Offshore’s customers in Southeast Asia.
This repeat order with Gulfmark Offshore exemplifies the growing partnership between the two leading marine companies. Keppel Singmarine has successfully delivered two AHTS vessels, Coloso and Titan, also of MTD design, to Gulfmark Offshore in the first quarter this year.
Mr Hoe Eng Hock, Executive Director of Keppel Singmarine, noted, “We are very happy that Keppel Singmarine’s expertise and capabilities are recognised by a prominent player in the international offshore marine services, Gulfmark Offshore, Inc.
Mr Bruce Streeter, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Gulfmark Offshore, Inc, commented: “These new vessels are the culmination of over 18 months of planning and are designed to respond to the growing demand created by increased oil and natural gas development activities as well as the new construction of drilling rigs. “We are also pleased that Keppel, who successfully completed our two new vessels that went to Mexico earlier this year, will be building these new ships and we have confidence in their capability to deliver them on time and budget.”
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