Malaysia's Nam Cheong Wins AWB Orders

Shipbuilder Nam Cheong Group wins order from Perdana Petroleum Berhad to build two Accommodation Work Barges (AWB).

The contracts are worth worth a total of US$59- million and came from  Perdana Petroleum Berhad (“Perdana”), an established, major offshore marine services provider for the oil and gas industry in Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region.

The AWBs, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2013, are being built as part of the Group’s built-to-stock series in one of Nam Cheong’s subcontracted yards in China. The 100 metre-long vessels will have the capacity to accommodate 300 men and will be equipped with an 8-point mooring system and a 300-tonne crane. They are both ABS Class vessels.

With these contracts, Nam Cheong’s year-to-date order book has hit a high of RM1.06 billion in contract value, far surpassing last year’s figure of RM757 million. Sales of the two AWBs also represent the Group’s second collective win in quick succession, amounting to five vessels sold in less than two weeks.

Mr Leong Seng Keat, Nam Cheong’s Executive Director, said: “Our winning season is reflective of the robust offshore marine industry in Malaysia spurred on primarily by Petronas’ expanded capital expenditure in exploration and production."

Mr Leong added: “Aside from favourable industry developments, our stellar order book of more than RM1 billion is also a testimony to our strong fundamentals and sound strategies. We continue to see demand for new businesses relating to top side maintenance, hook up and commissioning of existing oil platforms within the Malay basin in the shallow water region.