Aker Yards Revenue Up 52 Percent

Aker Yards ASA reported a record high EBITDA $62m for the second quarter of 2006, an increase of 59 percent compared with the second quarter of 2005. The total order backlog was $9.8b at the end of the quarter, comprising 126 vessels. Aker Yards had revenues of $996m in the second quarter of 2006, an increase of 52 percent compared with $658m in the corresponding period of 2005. High activity in all three business areas and the acquisition of two yards in France contributed to the positive development. The order reserve increased by $2b from the previous quarter, of which order intake in the second quarter was $758m. The acquisition in France contributed with $2.27b to the order book. Offshore & Specialized Vessels contributed the major part of the order intake, with orders for 15 new vessels.