Keppel clinches Brazilian shipbuilding contracts

The first contract entails building a series of six 45-tonne bollard pull twin-screw ASD harbour tugs, for SMIT Rebras (Rebocadores do Brasil). KSM Brasil’s scope of supply includes detailed design and engineering work and the purchase of all equipment. The first tug will be delivered in late2012, followed by the remaining five at three-month intervals. These Robert Allan-designed tugboats will be deployed at key ports across Brazil.

In the second contract, the yard will construct a large-sized 4,500dwt PSV based on its proprietary MTD 9045P-DE design for Keppel O&M’s Brazilian ship-owning arm, Guanabara Navegacao (GNL).This is the first vessel constructed under the business model to build offshore support vessels in anticipation of demand in Brazil, and similar vessels will be offered for bare-boat charter or sale upon completion. GNL’s PSV is slated for completion in 2013. It is custom designed by Keppel’s marine technology development unit to meet the stringent requirements of Petrobras. The arrangement of internal tanks and systems enable it to transport a combination of oil-based and water-based bulk cargoes for offshore exploration and production. The ABS-classed ship is 94.2m long and 19.8m wide. It features a large deadweight capacity and a deck space of 1000m² which can accommodate 26 crew members. Equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system and DP2 capability, it is suited to operate in different offshore conditions.

KSM Brasil specialises in constructing AHTS vessels, PSVs, oil recovery support vessels and harbour/terminal tugboats. The is able to fabricate offshore steel structures and support major projects undertaken by Keppel’s BrasFELS yard in Angra dos Reis.

Hoe Eng Hock, executive director of KSM Brasil said, “Petrobras will need over 100 Brazilian-built offshore support vessels by 2020, to facilitate the exploration and development of the Santos Basin’s deep water pre-salt fields. We see a growing market for purpose-built support vessels that can operate safely and efficiently offshore Brazil. Keppel Singmarine has been building harbour tugs for the global fleet of Smit in Singapore and China Nantong for the past 20 years. With the award of six harbour tugs contract, the relationship and partnership between Smit and Keppel has deepened and expanded to the new frontier in Brazil.”