Vard is just about to sign a contract for two pipelaying support vessels.
CIMB Securities said Petrobras of Brazil is likely to book seven pipelayers as early as the end of this month and the previously named STX OSV is said to be in negotiation to contract two of the vessels, totalling around $560m.
A pair of newbuildings are to be built at Vard's new yard in Brazil, Promar, for delivery in 2016, CIMB said.