SMIT starts construction of two new vessels

SMIT Transport & Heavy Lift BV (a division of SMIT Internationale NV) has ordered two new ships to be built at the Keppel Singmarine shipyard in Singapore. This order concerns the construction of a Diving Support Vessel – Anchor Handling Tug and an Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel. Both vessels have a bollard pull capacity of 70 tons and will be delivered in the second half of 2005.

In addition to the contract for the two new vessels, SMIT has also taken an option on two other vessels with a bollard pull of 120 tons. These are the first vessels in a new standardisation process of SMIT. All four ships share the same basic design. They have an accommodation capacity of 40 to 50 persons.

The investment will provide SMIT with vessels capable of performing a diverse variety of tasks. Next to its tasks as anchor handling and supply vessels the ships can be used for salvage and maritime projects. The ships have also been outfitted for holding a deck crane and an A-frame. The variable purpose nature of the vessels, and the possibility to adapt or configure them, makes it possible to meet the varying requirements of our clients.

One of the vessels will be used as a diving support vessel on the North Sea. The other ships will be used for anchor handling, supply, salvage and project support in Southeast Asia and West Africa.

SMIT has chosen Keppel Singmarine for the building of these vessels due to the yard’s expertise on the construction of this type of vessels and because of its established reputation of delivering high quality work at competitive prices.