Maersk Supply Service, part of Denmark’s AP Moller-Maersk Group, has embarked on expanding its newbuilding programme that would see the company focus on AHTS vessels and subsea support vessels.

The newbuilding programme saw Maersk Supply Service inked a new order for subsea support vessels at China’s Cosco Shipyard.

Carsten Plougmann Andersen, ceo of Maersk Supply Service, said the company is “reshaping our fleet to focus primarily on AHTS vessels and subsea support vessels.”

On Wednesday the Maersk company entered into a contract with Cosco (Dalian) Shipyard to build four subsea support vessels with options for two additional units.

The first of the newbuildings, based on Marin Teknikk design, is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2016.

“With this new order in China, we have taken the next step in our extensive newbuilding programme. In a long term perspective, we see great potential in these segments,” Andersen said.

The subsea support vessels are rated for operations in up to 3,000 metres of water depth.

Liang Yanfeng, president of Cosco Shipyard and chairman of Cosco (Dalian) Shipyard, commented: “In return for the vote of confidence, Cosco (Dalian) Shipyard will deliver the vessels in satisfaction of timeliness and exacting requirements of our client.”

Maersk Supply Service already has one subsea supply vessel and two AHTS vessels on order from shipyards in Romania and in Chile.