In the US shipbuilder’s fourth-quarterearnings report it noted an “abnormally harsh” winter made it challenging tocomplete the first of two aframax tankers for SeaRiver Maritime.
The company said construction costs were“slightly higher” than originally expected as a result but claims the profitmargin tied to the project is “still in line” with previous guidance.
Aker indicated that the 115,000-dwt tankersordered by ExxonMobil’s shipping offshoot in 2011 are approximately 71%complete and still scheduled for delivery later this year.
Going forward the company, which is alsositting on orders for four Crowley Maritime product tankers and a pair of Matsoncontainerships that will keep it busy through 2018, said it is actively lookingfor new contracts in all areas of the Jones Act market.
Aker, which is one of two US yardsactively involved in the construction of tankers, noted the list of targetsincludes boxships, shuttle tankers, short-sea shipping vessels, offshore-supportvessels barges, windfarm installation vessels and other large steel fabricationprojects.
It also pointed out that LNG propulsion “continuesto be a consideration for potential owners” and mentioned it hopes to leverageits experience from the design of Matson’s containerships, which carry acollective price tag of more than $400m.
While the US operator plans to equip thevessels with dual-fuel engines Aker failed to mention that the Jones Actcarrier has not yet decided whether it will outfit the duo with the othercomponents of an LNG power system due to concerns about the eligibility of LNGfuel.
Aker’s market commentary came as thecompany reported net income of $0.5m for the three months to 31 December 2013,which was slightly lower than the $1.3m gain posted a year ago despite a spikein revenue, which rose to $51.3m from $26.9m year-on-year.
The company did not offer an updateabout an electrical explosion that caused what is believed to be only minordamage to its Goliath gantry craneor weigh in on speculation that anelectrician who suffered burns as a result of the blast may pursue a lawsuitagainst the yard.
