Strategic Marine signs contract for two crewboats

Australian-owned ship builder Strategic Marine has been awarded a contract by Malaysian company JCB Oil and Gas Services to supply two 40-meter crew boats to service the expanding oil and gas sector in Malaysia. Under the contract, JCB Oil & Gas will purchase two crew boats, with an option for two additional vessels. The crew boats will be delivered by Strategic Marine’s Singapore shipyard in the fourth quarter of 2011 and will support JCB Oil & Gas Services’ operations in Malaysia.

Strategic Marine Executive Director, Ron F. Anderson said the company has a strong record of sales into the Malaysian market. “This contract with JCB Oil & Gas Services marks the start of an exciting new relationship between two companies that have similar values and growth aspirations. I am confident that by working together we can help each other attain our goals,” Anderson said. “These crew boats will push the total number of vessels delivered into Malaysian marine sector to 28 and are the first to utilize our multiple shipyard construction strategy. “Fabrication is completed at our Vietnam shipyard in Vung Tau and the fit-out, sea trials and hand-over will be finalized from our Singapore business. “Of the three crew boats currently being built under this strategy, just one vessel remains for sale. However, purchase negotiations are well underway and there is interest in several additional vessels.” Anderson said this contract further strengthened Strategic Marine’s position and reputation as a global leader in the crew boat market. “This reputation will play a pivotal role in launching our shipbuilding diversification plans into the future. In fact, we are currently in negotiations on a number of projects for vessels which include platform supply vessels, anchor handling vessels, dive/ROV support vessels, tug boats, wind farm maintenance vessels and passenger vessels,” he said.

The JCB Oil & Gas crew boats can transfer up to 50 oil rig personnel at a comfortable cruising speed of 25 knots, powered by two Cummins KTA38 M2 engines and one Cummins KTA50 M2 engine. They can carry 55,000 liters of fuel and 25,000 liters of fresh water, as well as cargo on the 120 m2 clear deck space.

“These vessels have been tried and tested in the Malaysian market and their continued success is testament to their superior operability, unrivalled passenger comfort and–very importantly–their economical hull form,” he said.

JCB Oil and Gas Services Sdn Bhd is a 100% Malaysian Bumiputra company based in Kota Kinabalu and is well placed to take advantage of the burgeoning oil and gas industry in Sabah. JCB has been providing offshore oil and gas support services in Malaysia since 2000 and currently operates three vessels.

Strategic Marine is currently contracted for more than 250 vessels at its yards in Australia, Vietnam, Mexico and Singapore.

April 21, 2011