Strategic Marine teams up with French firm to build fast crew boats for Malaysian player

Singapore-based shipbuilder Strategic Marine has been selected by Malaysia’s offshore services provider Centus Marine to construct new high-speed personnel transfer vessels that will be designed by France’s AIRCAT Vessels.

The new vessel will be able to sail at 50 knots while ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers during transit. It will be based on the AIRCAT 35 Crewliner platform, which was also the basis for a previous project the Singaporean-French duo worked on together with Espeland and Skomedal Naval Architects (ESNA). 

According to Strategic Marine, the new personnel transfer vessel’s properties are tailored to enhance operational efficiency for offshore oil and gas platforms, where quick and reliable crew transfers are essential. 

“At Strategic Marine, we continuously innovate to stay ahead of the curve, working with industry-leading partners like AIRCAT Vessels to design and deliver cutting-edge solutions,” said Chan Eng Yew, CEO of Strategic Marine. “Centus Marine’s selection of this vessel is a testament to their confidence in our ability to meet the stringent demands of the offshore sector.”

The boat will feature an advanced lift system enabling it to achieve minimum draft on water, reducing hull resistance while traveling at high speeds via its quad waterjet setup. The air cushion will dynamically adjust to sea conditions, enhancing comfort and safety. 

Jerome Arnold, CEO of AIRCAT Vessels, added: “We are excited to collaborate with Strategic Marine and Centus Marine on this innovative project. Our cutting-edge technology, combined with Strategic Marine’s shipbuilding expertise, will deliver a high-performance vessel that exceeds industry expectations.”

Thanks to its characteristics, the vessel is positioned to become a viable high-speed personnel transfer solution with its large passenger capacity, increased efficiency, and operating cost profile.

Derick Soo, of Centus Marine, commented: “We believe this vessel will play a groundbreaking role in enhancing our operations and sustainability efforts and providing our clients with safe, innovative and cost-effective solutions.”

Strategic Marine thinks this collaboration will enhance the importance of sustainable and high-performance solutions in the region’s growing offshore industry. The firm is scheduled to deliver three SESs to Africa which it says will set a new standard for efficiency, stability, and speed.

Last month, the Singaporean firm delivered two 42-meter fast crew boats to the UAE’s ADNOC Logistics & Services. Described as the “pinnacle of marine engineering and innovation,” the vessels feature Gyro-stabilization and navigation and communication systems for precise operations.