Offshore boosts Schat-Harding order book

Lifeboat and davit manufacturer Schat-Harding has booked orders for lifesaving equipment worth a record breaking NOK300m ($60m) so far in 2008. Over 60% of these orders came from the offshore sector.

Ove Roessland, ceo of Schat-Harding says, “We have experienced strong growth in orders for merchant ships and cruise vessels, but the surge we have seen in the first quarter of 2008 has been mainly due to a massive increase in demand from the offshore sector. Operators everywhere are keen to drive through offshore energy projects quickly and safely, so they turn to the high quality and reliability they know Schat-Harding delivers. Although shipyards everywhere are booming and demand for quick delivery of equipment has never been stronger, we see no relaxation in safety standards. In fact, it is gratifying to see that shipowners, shipyards and offshore operators are increasingly turning to the high quality option for their life saving equipment, and that their focus on safety has strengthened.”

Recent orders in the offshore sector have included the upgraded freefall FF1000 and the new FF1200 boat, and also conventional craft and davits from the KISS and MCB ranges. Key clients were Statoil-Hydro, BP, Diamond Offshore, Pemex and Transocean for projects which include the Kristin, Veslefrikk, Visund and Troll C developments. Most of the boats and davits are for 2008 and early 2009 delivery.

The total group order book now stands at NOK630m ($125m). Group turnover in 2007 was NOK640m ($127m).

“Our expansion of manufacturing in Norway, the USA and China and our focus on quality and innovation have gained us the trust of these major operators and enabled us to meet their needs. At the same time we are also supplying our new FF750 boat and davit in large numbers to Asian yards and working with our key cruise customers to ensure they get the right boats and davits for their massive new cruise vessels,” says Roessland.