Henderson-based shipbuilder, Strategic Marine, has taken another major step in its goal of becoming a global shipbuilder with the signing of a second contract to build a 143 metre steel hulled dive support vessel for a Singaporean offshore service company.

Strategic Marine’s order book now stands at a healthy US$210 million and follows close on the heels of its confirmed AUS$62 million bid to build the State Government’s floating dock at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson.

The latest contract, for Marfield Ltd Inc will see design, project and logistical management for the two steel hulled ships undertaken at the company’s WA headquarters.

Construction will be handled at Strategic’s new 10,000sqm shipbuilding yard in Dong Xuyen Industrial Zone, Ba-Ria Vung Tao in Vietnam, with specialised fit out to be completed by Marfield.

Strategic Marine chairman, Mark Newbold, said the two-ship contract would accelerate the company’s overall goal of becoming a global shipbuilder and to diversify into the manufacture of steel boats. To date, Strategic Marine has built plate and sheet aluminium craft for a range of Australian and South East Asian customers.

“We are delighted with the latest win which not only adds to an already healthy order book, but provides us with a sound underpinning for future development of the company,” he said.

Mr Newbold said the company’s current order book comprised 136 craft including nine offshore support vessels up to 40 metres in length, a passenger ferry and more than 100 patrol vessels ranging in size from 10 to 20 metres.

“Importantly, all of these projects are destined for offshore customers and have been won on the basis of our project management record in the offshore boat design and building industry,” he said.

Construction of the first dive support vessel is now underway and the company expects both hulls to be delivered by the end 2008.

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