OSV operators swoop for Nam Cheong’s new AHTS

Malaysia’s Nam Cheong has secured Letters of Intent (“LOI”) from five customers worth approximately US$186 million, with a mix of sale and charter of 12 newly launched NCA80E, 64.8m diesel electric powered Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels (“AHTS”) with 80 tonnes bollard pull.

The Group has also secured options for the sale of eight additional NCA80E vessels. The five customers are Offshore Support Vessels owners and operators: Bumi Armada Berhad, Geooffshore Pte Ltd, Opstad Group, Sofield Marine & Offshore Sdn Bhd as well as Vega Offshore Group. The potential sale of the 20 vessels through the LOIs and options represent a 100% take-up rate of the 20 vessels planned for delivery.

The NCA80E vessels are of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class and are being constructed as part of Nam Cheong’s built-to-stock series in the Group’s Miri shipyard in Sarawak, East Malaysia as well as the Group’s subcontracted yards in China.

NCA80E

Nam Cheong has today announced that it has launched the new Anchor Handling Tug Supply (“AHTS”) vessel, the NCA80E. The vessel is a 64.8m diesel electric powered AHTS with 80 tonnes bollard pull and is based on Nam Cheong’s proprietary design.

Nam Cheong’s Executive Chairman, Datuk Tiong Su Kouk said: “The launching of the NCA80E vessel is a major milestone for the Group as it is based on Nam Cheong’s proprietary design and is also our first vessel launch in Singapore. Customers are increasingly demanding for such sophisticated OSVs and we received strong interest from customers worldwide for such a vessel that is versatile to be deployed in waters globally. Backed by our deep expertise in engineering and cutting-edge technology required to design and build such vessels, we are confident in powering ahead in the industry and are excited by the prospects.”

According to Nam Cheong the NCA80E vessel boasts an energy efficient design from the efficient hull lines and is equipped with selected electric drives which lead to lower fuel consumption without a loss in power to the electric drives due to the vessel design’s exploitation of newer technologies. In addition, Nam Cheong explains, the vessel features a simplified design and is “Asianised” to allow for an efficient building process to reduce delivery time and yet, is flexible enough in its capabilities to be deployed in multiple roles.