Singapore: Singapore's Keppel Corporation confirmed the lost of a potentially lucrative contract to build two semi-submersible drilling rigs for Ukraine's Naftogaz.

Oslo: Havila Shipping ASA has divested its Rapid Response Vessel Havila Runde, which has been bought by offshore support provider Secunda Canada.

Bangkok: Thoresen Thai Agencies (TTA) has raised a considerable THB3.96bn ($133.15m) through a rights issue to fund its plans for dry bulk and offshore drilling fleet renewal.

London: British firm Mojo Maritime has revealed a design for a new HiFlo-4 Installation Vessel (HF4), for the installation of tidal energy farms.

Singapore: Singapore's offshore vessels shipbuilder Otto Marine managed to land a deal to build two anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels after an order drought of nearly two years.

Oslo: Harsh environment offshore shipowner GC Rieber Shipping ASA has agreed a charter with Ceona Services (UK) Ltd for its subsea newbuilding, currently under construction at Ulstein Verft.

New York: Fourth quarter losses at Greek-owned Dryships Inc. reached $129.8m as operating costs rose sharply year on year.

Paris: Offshore services provider Bourbon announced a sharp jump in income and profits for 2012 as the French giant benefitted from the strong fundamentals of the offshore sector.

Colombo: Sri Lanka-based Colombo Dockyard reaped profits in 2012 as it benefitted from higher margins from the construction of offshore support vessels (OSVs).

Oslo: Following the sale of a 50.75% stake to Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, the STX OSV group of companies has been rebranded as VARD, from the Norwegian “varde” meaning a small tower of stones used as a navigation mark.