STX Business Group recently held a keel laying ceremony to celebrate the installation of the first block of the offshore pipe layer (OPL) ordered in October 2007 at the STX Dalian Shipbuilding Complex.

In attendance were representatives from the shipping company and the classification society, as well as concerned individuals from STX Dalian Shipbuilding Complex.

This offshore pipe layer marks the first offshore plant STX Business Group has received an order for, and is scheduled for delivery to Technip in France in 2010.

By securing orders for a floating storage unit (FSU) and four drillships amounting to a total of US$400 million in 2008 following the order for this offshore pipe layer project valued at approximately US$200 million in 2007, STX Business Group has firmly solidified its position in the offshore plant market just three years after entering the offshore plant business.

It will also focus its efforts on receiving further orders for offshore plants and special ships in the second half.