Malaysia: Borcos Shipping Orders Two Crew Boats from Strategic Marine

Australian ship builder Strategic Marine has confirmed its position as a major supplier of vessels to the Malaysian offshore oil and gas sector, securing a contract to build two 40 metre crew boats for Syarikat Borcos Shipping Sdn Bhd.

On delivery of the vessels mid next year, Borcos Shipping will boast 11 Strategic Marine crew boats in its fleet, the first one launched in 2005.

Strategic Marine Marketing Manager Terry O’Connor said this contract further established the ship builder as a world-leading manufacturer of crew boats, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

“Our ability to construct hulls in Vietnam and complete them at our Singapore shipyard has provided the market with an extremely competitive option in purchasing new crew boats, during such a challenging period in the market,” Mr O’Connor said.

“Strategic Marine has now delivered 35 vessels into the South East Asia region over the past five years, the majority of which are servicing the local offshore oil and gas sector.”

Mr O’Connor said that Strategic Marine’s reputation in the crew boat market has allowed the company to fast-track its shipbuilding diversification plans and establish regional operations in WA’s North West and Queensland.

“In the past few weeks we have finalised plans to expand our fast-response repair and servicing operation in Karratha and secured a contract for fabrication and design work for John Holland’s mining construction works in Gladstone, Australia.

“Our ship building operations now include a vast range of vessel designs, including platform supply vessels, anchor handling vessels, dive / ROV support vessels, tug boats, wind farm maintenance vessels and passenger vessels,” he said.

The Borcos Shipping crew boats can transfer up to 58 oil rig personnel and carry 44 tonnes of cargo.

“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,” Mr O’Connor said.

Borcos Shipping is an established Malaysian shipping company formed in early 1980. Its registered office is in Miri, Sarawak with branch offices in Labuan, Kota Kinabalu and Terengganu.

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World Maritime News Staff, December 1, 2011; Image: Strategic Marine