Shipbuilding industry is said that drillship (ultra-deepwater drilling rig) market is seen to be on the road to recovery.
Analyst Lee Kang-Rok at KTB Investment & Securities of Korea said, “Comparing with merchant vessels ordered, drillship orders were placed only for three units in the first half of this year,” and added, “However, the US-based Seadrill placed orders at Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for two drillships, each, which is a sign for recovery of drillship market in the second half.”  
The analyst said Seadrill is ranked the world’s No.2 in terms of rig fleet (including orderbook) and the latest orders have a great significance since it means the top tier’s investment has begun.
In addition, traditionally having had deals with Samsung, Seadrill newly placed an order at Daewoo, which could mean that drillship market is in a stable status, he said.
He added, “Considering the delivery slated by 2015 for both Korean builders, the owner decided to newly ink a deal with Daewoo for earlier delivery.”