Swissco orders offshore newbuilds

Swissco Offshore Pte Ltd, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Swissco International, placed orders for two offshore support vessels (OSV) at a cost of $9.91 million, excluding owner’s supplied items. The first unit is a 55 metre azimuth stern drive anchor handling, tug and supply (AHTS) vessel. The vessel is expected to operate faster and safer in the increasing demands of the oil and gas industry while performing multiple roles.

The second vessel is a 40 metre OSV and follows the success of similar vessels that the company had purchased in recent years. The two vessels are slated for delivery in the first half of 2009 from an unidentified Chinese shipyard in southern China. The company presently operates a fleet of 25 vessels and expects to take delivery of five vessels through the remainder of 2007, seven in 2008 and three in 2009.