TAS aiming for top spot

The Malaysian shipbuilder Tuong Aik Shipyard Sdn Bhd (TAS) aims to be one of the top shipbuilders in South East Asia within the next few years. Having begun as a small supplier of marine coatings and provider of shipping services in 1977, TAS is now an export-oriented shipbuilder, serving international clients in the oil and gas industry from UAE, Bahrain, Indonesia and Singapore.

Founder and group managing director Datuk Lau Nai Hoh says about 90% of its business is mainly for the international oil and gas market. To date, the company has built over 150 vessels of various types and sizes since it started the shipbuilding business in 1991 ranging from 23m to 60m in length. “Last year, we handed over 24 units to our clients, ranging from small and big vessels and since June 2008, we have secured nine new contracts for a total of 28 projects in our order book,” he says.

Based in Sungai Bidut in Sibu, Sarawak, TAS is currently operating on 12.3 acres shipyard with the capacity to construct an average of 23 vessels per year. “Though we do face competition from other international shipbuilders in this region, such as from Indonesia, we have an advantage in lower labour cost in Sibu. Our workforce is 99% local with only a few workers from Indonesia. Given the low labour cost and the good quality of our vessels, we have the competitive advantage,” he says.