US-listed Seacor Marine’s transaction to take control of eight cancelled newbuildings in China follows hot on the heels of a four-ship acquisition in December last year.
Excluding expansion in fast support vessels, last week's deal means Seacor has added at least 23 offshore support vessels to its 180-plus fleet since mid-2016.
All have represented rock-bottom investments for the owner.
The new joint venture with Cosco Shipping Group will put eight platform supply vessel newbuildings into Seacor’s stable at a discount of about 90% on the original contract prices.