Delays for SCANs newbuilds

Delivery of each of Scan Geophysical ASA’s three newbuilds has been delayed by three months. Based on updated production schedules from the ABG Shipyard in India, the new delivery dates will be June 30, 2008, Sept. 30, 2008, and mid-February 2009. During the third quarter the shipyard suffered from capacity problems and increased lead time from its suppliers, a situation faced by the shipbuilding industry in general. A Scan spokesman said, “The yard has previously informed Scan that the subsequent delays were planned to be caught up; however, the yard has now informed that it will not be able to, causing its building programmes to be delayed.” The delays on Scan?s vessels in particular are influenced by scarce engineering capacity as some technical drawings yet have to be delivered. “Even if most of the ship’s equipment for Scan vessels is secured and delivered, the yard now reports late delivery of some parts,” the spokesman for the Norwegian shipping company added. Scan says it is working proactively to help the yard reach time efficient solutions. The three modern high class vessels are being purpose built for seismic data acquisition. According to general demand from the oil and gas industry, to reach deeper and deeper targets all vessels have a capacity to operate streamers of up to 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) each – a total capacity of 80 kilometres (49 miles) of streamers as all three vessels can tow up to 10 streamers for high density surveys.