Keppel consolidates presence in Brazil with new shipyard

The acquisition is subject to the fulfilment of conditions by TWB Group. This 7.6ha shipyard will be operated by Keppel O&M’s specialised shipbuilding arm, Keppel Singmarine. It has a 300m long waterfront and is equipped with a slipway, pipe and hull shops and an outfitting quay. Keppel O&M’s total investment in the yard, including further capital expenditure to upgrade and modernise the facility, will be in the region of about $50 million.

To be named Keppel Singmarine Brasil, the yard will focus on the construction of OSVs such as anchor handling tug supply vessels, platform supply vessels, oil recovery support vessels and harbour tugs among others. It will also be equipped to undertake the fabrication of offshore modules, which will be an added advantage for Keppel to support the execution of major projects at its BrasFELS yard in Angra dos Reis.

Petrobras has announced plans to charter some 147 locally-built offshore support vessels over the next five years, with at least 70% of the work on each newbuild to be carried out within the country.

The modernisation programme planned for the yard will include upgrading the existing slipway, as well as constructing a new slipway, a wharf, heavy lift gantry cranes and pipe and hull shops fitted with modern machinery and equipment. The shipyard is expected to be operational by the second half of 2010 and, at full capacity, is estimated to be able to complete an average of eight vessels per year.