ASL moves into dredger market

The Singapore shipbuilder ASL Marine (ASL) has secured new shipbuilding and fabrication contracts worth a total of S$101m ($68.7m). The bulk of the total value of the contracts is for the construction of one self-propelled cutter suction dredger, while the fabrication, outfitting and reinstatement works to a heavy transport vessel (this job falls under the ship repair/conversion division) accounts for a smaller proportion.

The order for the dredger was awarded by an existing customer of ASL, and is expected to be completed mid 2011, with certain equipment to be furnished by the customer, while the works on the heavy transport vessel involves the installation of grillage and skid-beams, and is expected to be completed by August 2009.

The award of the dredger contract is significant not only for its size, but also comes on the back of general concerns of slowing shipbuilding order flows. Also, ASL is now moving up the value chain to build other types of higher value added vessels such as dredgers and subsea operation vessels which differentiate it from smaller yards in the region that focus on the AHTS segment. This contract marks ASL?s 16th new build announced since April 2007 that is for non-AHT/AHTS vessels.