KHZ to Deliver Cableships to TyCom

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. Meanwhile, the third vessel will be launched within the next few days at Hitachi Zosen Singapore. Mr Choo Chiau Beng, Chairman of KHZ, said, "The construction of TyCom Reliance on time and within budget demonstrates the expertise and versatility of KHZ as a builder of sophisticated vessels. "The effective execution of the construction of TyCom Reliance has been made possible through the application of new technology, creditable work put in by the design team, good project management skills and close partnership with suppliers, sub-contractors, classification and regulatory authorities and TyCom's project team." Mr Fred Hamilton, TyCom's Vice President of International Construction, Operations and Maintenance, said, "We are receiving an excellent ship at a competitive price. This vessel will play an important role in the deployment and maintenance of the TyCom Global Network in this region." At 12,130 GRT, each cableship is twin screw, diesel electric driven and dynamically positioned. Measuring 140 m in length and 22 m in breadth, the cableships are purpose-built for installation and maintenance of undersea fibre optic systems and are equipped with the latest in cable, navigation and safety equipment. Keppel Hitachi Zosen is one of the largest and most versatile ship repair and shipbuilding groups in Asia. It has the expertise to undertake the repair, conversion and the building of a diverse range and capacity of vessels. The Group comprises Keppel Shipyard, Hitachi Zosen Singapore and Keppel Singmarine Dockyard in Singapore. Its overseas yards are in the Philippines and the Middle East. TyCom Ltd is one of the world's largest providers of advanced broadband communications capacity, systems and services. It is also a leading fully integrated supplier of transoceanic fiber optic systems and a recognized world leader in undersea technology development and application. It operates one of the world's largest fleets of cableships.