Boustead Holdings Bhd News

Malaysian conglomerate Boustead Holdings Bhd said on Thursday it had signed a 9 billion ringgit ($2.8 billion) contract to supply six patrol vessels with littoral combat ship capability to the Royal Malaysian Navy. Delivery of the first ship is planned in 2017, and after that one vessel every six months, according to the company's filings to the stock exchange. All the ships are expected to have been delivered by the end of 2021. Reporting By Yantoultra Ngui

ECM Libra Avenue Investment Bank said it is keeping its 'buy' call on Boustead Heavy Industries Corp Bhd (BHIC) because it expects the Malaysian shipbuilder to get more contracts, especially for naval vessels. Boustead Holdings Bhd owns 65 percent of BHIC and the Malaysian armed forces pension fund, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera, is the major shareholder in Boustead Holdings. BHIC will deliver its third patrol vessel to the Royal Malaysian Navy, a fourth is scheduled for delivery early in December and two more will be delivered by 2009, ECM said in a note. The company will be busy for the next 10 years, reportedly with another 21 patrol vessels in the pipeline.