Keppel nets $61M in conversion, upgrading and repair works

Singapore’s Keppel Offshore & Marine has secured four contracts worth a total of S$85 million (USD 61.3 million) for the conversion, repair and modification of vessels.

The first contract is from Dixstone Holdings Ltd, for the conversion of the M/T Tempera into an FPSO. Keppel Shipyard’s job scope includes the installation of topside process skids as well as a new accommodation module, amongst others.

Keppel expects to start the Tempera work in the third quarter of 2017. Delivery is expected in the third quarter of 2018, after which the FPSO will be sent to the Perenco-operated Yombo field off the Republic of Congo.

It will replace the FPSO Conkouati which has served the field for more than 25 years and was also converted by Keppel Shipyard in 1991.

For the second contract, Keppel Shipyard will carry out repair work for the life extension and conversion of an oil tanker into an FPSO, MTC Ledang, for new customer, MTC Engineering Sdn Bhd. Work by the shipyard includes the fabrication of a flare tower and foundation; the lifting and integration of the crude stabilization unit, as well as other refurbishment works. Upon its completion in the third quarter of 2017, the FPSO will be deployed to the Ophir Field, offshore Peninsular Malaysia.

The third contract that Keppel Shipyard secured is from Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis), for the conversion of a semi-submersible heavy lift vessel, Finesse, to a crane vessel. After the upgrade, Finesse will be equipped with a 3,000 tonne crane, dynamic positioning (DP2) capabilities, as well as accommodation for up to 150 people. The vessel, which is already berthed at Keppel Shipyard, will also be capable of transporting and installing offshore wind turbine foundations upon its completion in 3Q 2017.

For the fourth contract, Keppel Shipyard will carry out major refurbishment for an EXMAR Ship Management (Exmar) managed gas carrier, LNG Lerici. Work on the vessel has started and is expected to be completed in 1Q 2018.

Chor How Jat, Managing Director (Conversions and Repair), Keppel O&M and Managing Director, Keppel Shipyard, said: “Despite the current challenging market conditions, we continue to receive a regular stream of conversion, repair and modification work from both new and long-standing clients. There remain opportunities in a variety of segments in the offshore and marine market and we are proud to be the industry’s preferred shipyard. These four contracts bear testament to our strong expertise in the conversion, upgrading and repair works for FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) vessels, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) tankers, as well as heavy lift vessels.”