Malaysian contract for Australian company

JCB has contracted for two vessels, with an option for a further two. The boats will be delivered from Strategic Marine’s Singapore yard in the fourth quarter of 2011. The crew boats can transfer up to 50 oil rig personnel at a cruising speed of 25 knots, powered by two Cummins KTA38 M2 engines and one Cummins KTA50 M2 engine. They can carry 55,000 litres of fuel and 25,000 litres of fresh water, as well as cargo on the 120m² clear deck space.

Strategic Marine executive director, Ron F Anderson said the company has a strong record of sales into the Malaysian market. “This contract with JCB Oil & Gas Services marks the start of an exciting new relationship between two companies that have similar values and growth aspirations. I am confident that by working together we can help each other attain our goals,” Anderson said. “These crew boats will push the total number of vessels delivered into Malaysian marine sector to 28 and are the first to utilise our multiple shipyard construction strategy. Fabrication is completed at our Vietnam shipyard in Vung Tau and the fit-out, sea trials and hand-over will be finalised from our Singapore business. Of the three crew boats currently being built under this strategy, just one vessel remains for sale. However, purchase negotiations are well underway and there is interest in several additional vessels.”

Anderson said this contract further strengthened Strategic Marine’s position and reputation as a global leader in the crew boat market. “This reputation will play a pivotal role in launching our shipbuilding diversification plans into the future. In fact, we are currently in negotiations on a number of projects for vessels which include platform supply vessels, anchor handling vessels, dive / ROV support vessels, tug boats, wind farm maintenance vessels and passenger vessels. These vessels have been tried and tested in the Malaysian market and their continued success is testament to their superior operability, unrivalled passenger comfort and – very importantly – their economical hull form,” he said.

JCB Oil and Gas Services is a wholly Malaysian company which has been providing offshore oil and gas support services in Malaysia since 2000, and currently operates three vessels. Strategic Marine is currently contracted for more than 250 vessels at its yards in Australia, Vietnam, Mexico and Singapore.