02 Feb 2000

Keppel Singmarine completes series of AHTS vessels for AP Moller

Keppel Singmarine Dockyard (Keppel Singmarine), a member of the Keppel Hitachi Zosen Group, has completed all six Anchor Handling Tug/Supply (AHTS) vessels ordered by the AP Moller Group (Maersk).

The vessels are one of the world’s most advanced type of AHTS and the largest of their kind to be built in Singapore.

The last AHTS vessel, which will join the fleet of The Maersk Company Limited, London, was christened ‘Maersk Server’ on 31 January 2000 by Mrs Jette Andersen, wife of Mr Clas N Andersen, President of Roulunds Fabriker A/S at Odense, Denmark (an affiliated company of AP Moller).

At the naming ceremony, Mr Charles Foo, Chairman of Keppel Singmarine and Managing Director of Keppel Hitachi Zosen said, "We thank AP Moller for entrusting Keppel Singmarine with the opportunity to build this fleet of AHTS vessels.

"We are especially pleased with the Group’s decision to exercise the option to order four AHTS vessels after signing an initial contract in 1997 for only two. This clearly affirms their confidence in our quality workmanship and reliability."

‘Maersk Shipper’ and ‘Maersk Supporter’, the first two vessels delivered in February and May 1999 respectively, are operating well in the northwestern waters of Australia.

This was followed by another pair – ‘Maersk Supplier’ and ‘Maersk Seeker’ – delivered in August and October 1999 respectively. ‘Maersk Supplier’ is currently mobilising for charter in Vietnam, while ‘Maersk Seeker’ is working in the North Sea.

‘Maersk Searcher’, delivered in December 1999, is also on her way to work in the North Sea.

The AHTS vessels are built to operate in deep waters, and are equipped with special high capacity spilt type stern roller and state-of-the-art electrically driven anchor handling and towing winches.

Measuring 82 metres in length and 19 metres in breadth, with a draft of 7.5 metres, the vessels are powered by four units of medium speed diesel engines with a combined maximum continuous rating of 18,000 BHP, giving them a speed of 15 knots, and a bollard pull of 200 metric tonnes.

The vessels will be classed by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping with a notation of 100A1 "Offshore Tug Supply Ship", +LMS, UMS, NAV1, SCM, DP(AM).

AP Moller is the biggest industrial group in Denmark and the largest operator of high horse power AHTS vessels in the world.

Keppel Singmarine has vast experience in newbuildings, having constructed more than 300 vessels. It has also undertaken sophisticated conversions and repair works.

The Keppel Hitachi Zosen Group is one of the largest and most versatile shiprepair and shipbuilding groups in Asia and the Middle East.

Its seven yards – Keppel Shipyard, Hitachi Zosen Singapore, Keppel Singmarine Dockyard, Keppel Batangas Shipyard, Keppel Cebu Shipyard, Subic Shipyard and Engineering, and Arab Heavy Industries – have the capacity to accommodate vessels from between 5,000 dwt to 360,000 dwt.

Backed by a century of experience, the Group has the expertise to undertake the entire spectrum of repair, conversion and building for a diverse range and capacity of vessels.