Asia/Pacific News
Wilhelmsen Ships Service Expanding in Singapore, Southeast Asia
Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) says it is expanding its services in the offshore and energy production sectors in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
"Traditional ships service markets are changing," said Michael Connolly, WSS's general manager for West Coast Oceania.
"The global recession is continuing to impact on the operations of shipowners and managers who are looking to drive costs down.
"In the offshore market however, business is much steadier, with high energy prices, new oil and gas field developments and greater use of technology all creating opportunity for experienced service partners."
WSS said it has been supplying the offshore supply vessel (OSV) market for more than three decades but will now expand its activities beyond that focus, including safety services for companies handling seismic exploration, mobile drilling rigs and vessels, decommissioning, specialty vessels, and other parts of the offshore market.
WSS, which is based in Norway and has its Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Singapore, said its offshore capabilities include safety systems, chemicals, ships' agency services, and marine products including welding, hydraulic equipment, and refrigeration.
Research and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie said in a February report that demand for energy resources, particularly liquefied natural gas (LNG), is growing in Southeast Asia, including Singapore.
