Keppel Singmarine Dockyard News

Keppel Hitachi Zosen (KHZ) has delivered a Semi-Submersible Self-Erecting Tender Rig (SSETR) to Smedvig Asia Ltd (Smedvig). The SSETR was named West Alliance by Mrs. Patricia Chan, wife of Mr. Chan Heng Wah, Drilling Manager of Esso Production Malaysia Inc, at a naming ceremony held in Keppel Shipyard on September 29, 2001. West Alliance has a one plus one optional year drilling contract with Esso Malaysia, which is scheduled to commence in early November this year. Following the exercise of its option, Smedvig will own 100 per cent of West Alliance, and bring the total capital expenditure of the rig to about $85 million. West Alliance represents the newest generation of SSETRs, incorporating the latest technology and equipment.

Keppel Hitachi Zosen, through Keppel Singmarine Dockyard, will build two harbor tugs for S$17 million for the Abu Dhabi Sea Port Authority, Port Zayed in the United Arab Emirates. Both tugs are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2001. The steel-hulled, twin-screwed, diesel motor-driven harbor tugs will be built to a length overall of 33 meters, a breadth of 10 meters, a depth of 5 meters, and a draft of 4 meters. The tugs will have a bollard pull of 50 tons, and a maximum speed of 13.8 knots. Lum Chee Kong, General Manager of Keppel Singmarine Dockyard said, "Keppel Singmarine's strength lies in the construction of a wide range of tugs and smaller specialized vessels.

Keppel Hitachi Zosen Limited (KHZ) has agreed to purchase the shiprepair/shipbuilding and related businesses of Keppel Marine Industries Limited (KMI) for $167 million in cash. Total net assets include $69 million, resulting in a gain of $4 million for KMI. KHZ will acquire all of KMI's investments in Keppel Singmarine Dockyard Pte, Eagle Engineering Company (100 percent), Keppel Philippines Marine (11.6 percent) and Penguin Boat International (16.5 percent). Resulting from this acquisition, KHZ group will offer a full range of shiprepair, conversion and shipbuilding facilities.

Keppel Smit Towage Private Limited (KST), has recently signed a contract with Keppel Singmarine Dockyard Pte Ltd (Keppel Singmarine) to build two 3,600 bhp harbor tugs for a contract value of about $5.5 million, with an option for a further two tugs. These two tractor tugs will have a bollard pull of 47 tonnes. As with all the other tugs in KST's fleet, they will include fire-fighting capability. With these specifications, the tugs will be able to assist all types of vessels including VLCCs berthing at deep water berths. With the delivery of these two newbuildings at the end of the year, KST will have a combined fleet of 26 tugs ranging between 3,000 to 4,000 bhp.

Keppel Hitachi Zosen Limited (KHZ) will deliver its first cable laying and repair vessel to TyCom by end August 2001. The vessel was named TyCom Reliance by Lady Sponsor, Ms Claire Calandra, Executive Vice-President and COO of TyCom at the naming ceremony at Hitachi Zosen Singapore yard yesterday. When commissioned, TyCom Reliance will be the most efficient cable laying and repair ship in TyCom's fleet. KHZ was awarded the first contract to build two cable laying and repair vessels for TyCom in April 2000. Subsequently, TyCom exercised its option to build an additional four sister vessels in November 2000. The second vessel is currently being built in Keppel Shipyard and delivery is expected in the fourth quarter of this year.

Keppel Hitachi Zosen Ltd. has reportedly agreed to buy Keppel Marine Industries Ltd.'s shiprepair and building business for $98.9 million in cash. Keppel Hitachi said it would acquire all of Keppel Marine's investments in Keppel Singmarine Dockyard Pte Ltd., Eagle Engineering Pte Ltd., Keppel UAE-Investment Pte Ltd., Keppel Philippines Marine Inc., and Penguin Boat International Ltd.

The recently completed sale of Keppel Marine Industries Limited's marine-related businesses to Keppel Hitachi Zosen for about $99.4 million has allowed Keppel to "carry out a reduction of headcount in the three yards that will result in savings of about $2.9 million a year. Following the consolidation of Keppel Shipyard, Hitachi Zosen Singapore and Keppel Singmarine Dockyard, under Keppel Hitachi Zosen, the Keppel Group is rationalizing its operations to remain competitive.