With oil prices kept high, new order in offshore sector has been boosted. Almost $15bn of orders have been already revealed in offshore segment so far this year.
While South Korea and Singapore lead the offshore market, Chinese shipbuilding industry, troubled by decreasing demand for commercial ship, has expanded into offshore segment and increased orders for rigs, offshore platform, etc. in cooperation with European engineering companies.
In addition to Samsung Heavy Industries of South Korea's four newbuilding drillships, offshore majored yards in Singapore contracted for many rigs.
Also, Samsung and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering booked an order for a central processing facility and FPSO, respectively, from INPEX-led Ichthys project, totalling around $5bn.
Singapore's Sembcorp plans to build its first overseas yard, named Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz, in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil and to construct its first newbuilding drillship for Braizil's Petrobras there.
CIMC Raffles of China contracted for a semi-submersible rig in the end of 2011 and a sistership in February this year, its fifth such rig.
Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) penned a new order for two floating accommodation units with an option for two more last month.
COSCO Shipyard inked additional orders for a tender rig, a windfarm vessel, etc., expanding its presence in offshore sector.