Keppel bags Asian first

Singapore: Singapore's Keppel is claiming to be the first Asian yard to ever win ice breaker orders having snatched an order for a pair from Russia's Lukoil for $260m. Lukoil became Keppel's first Russian client last May with an order for an anchor-handling tug and supply boat, followed by another similar order in January. The latest orders are to be delivered between the end of this year for a 100m long auxiliary ice-breaker and an 81m long multi-purpose ice-breaking supply vessel to be deployed in the Barents and Arctic seas, for delivery between the end of next year and the middle of 2008.  [07/07/06]