The vessels, due for delivery in the third quarter of 2017 from an unnamed Chinese yard, are for a “leading provider of marine logistics services” in the Middle East and will support a national oil company operating in the Arabian Gulf under a firmed five-year charter with a two-year option.
MacGregor will deliver by the first quarter of 2017 a deck crane and machinery, shark-jaws and towing pins to two 58m anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels; deck machinery and a deck crane to one 45m work utility vessel; and a deck crane and deck machinery to four 45m maintenance utility vessels.
Unveiled by MacGregor, a subsidiary of Cargotec, the deal highlights again that the Middle East is a relative regional bright spot in the gloomy global offshore sector.
"MacGregor worked closely with the owner early in the process to discuss technicalities," Esko Karvonen, head of MacGregor’s Smart Ocean Technology division, said.
"This early involvement optimises design decisions, which can positively influence the profitability, safety, reliability and environmental sustainability of operations throughout a vessel's working life. We will continue this close cooperation with the customer."
MacGregor offers engineering services to the global offshore and marine industries including solutions for handling marine cargoes, vessel operations, offshore loads, crude/LNG transfer and offshore mooring.
A part of the Nasdaq Helsinki-listed Cargotec group, MacGregor generated sales in 2015 totalling approximately €3.7bn ($4.13bn). It employs more than 11,000 people globally.
