Marco Polo Marine Ltd. has been awarded a landmark S$198m contract by Taiwan’s National Academy of Marine Research to design and construct a cutting-edge 4,000 GT oceanographic research vessel. This contract marks the largest shipbuilding award in the company’s history and highlights its advanced capabilities in specialised vessel construction.
The project, valued at NT$4.678b (approximately S$198m), will be executed over a period of 1,460 days, or roughly four years, at Marco Polo Marine’s shipyard in Batam, Indonesia. The vessel will feature state-of-the-art technology, including a Dynamic Positioning 2 system, diesel-electric propulsion, battery energy storage, and advanced laboratory facilities for scientific missions. It will be designed to dual class CR and ABS certification standards by the renowned Norwegian firm Skipteknisk AS.
The contract is fully self-financed through Marco Polo Marine’s internal cashflows, with no project-specific debt required. This strategic move not only complements the company’s existing growth in the offshore wind vessel segments but also positions it within the marine research and blue economy sectors.
This significant development underscores Marco Polo Marine’s commitment to expanding its footprint in specialised vessel construction and its ability to deliver complex projects on a global scale. The successful execution of this contract is expected to enhance the company’s reputation and open up new opportunities in the marine research sector.
