Norwegian offshore shipbuilder Kleven has signed its first contract in Southeast Asia, in an agreement with Malaysian exploration company IES Pioneer.

The deal is for an MT 6015 MPSV (Multi-Purpose Support Vessel), slated for delivery in September 2015, with an option for a further vessel which would be delivered in 2016.

On delivery the vessel is planned to be chartered to oil and gas companies for work on newly-discovered ultra-deepwater fields of Asia and the Middle East.

The design, which has seen extensive service in difficult North Sea operations, is equipped with a working deck area of 1,000 cu m, accommodation for 60 crew, a helideck, firefighting and ROV capabilities, and a 150 tonne active heave compensated crane.

“At Kleven we are very pleased to announce our very first vessel construction contract with a client from Southeast Asia, showing that we are competitive world wide based on our quality, punctuality and price,” said Kleven ceo Ståle Rasmussen.