Malaysian shipowner scoops up eight new vessel gigs

March 20th, 2026

Keyfield International, a Malaysian fleet owner of offshore vessels, has picked up new assignments across Malaysia, the Middle East, and Thailand for seven accommodation work boats (AWB) and one anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel.

Illustration; Source: Keyfield

Thanks to eight charter contracts, Keyfield has secured approximately RM162 million ($41.33 million), with extension options valued at an additional RM84 million ($21.43 million), totalling RM246 million ($62.75 million).

These deals encompass the charter of seven AWBs and one AHTS vessel to various petroleum arrangement contractors and oil and gas players across Malaysia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand.

Dato’ Darren Kee Chit Huei, Keyfield Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, commented: “We are pleased to have secured these charter contracts across multiple markets, which reflect our strong operational capabilities and the reliability of our fleet.

“These awards reinforce our position as a trusted offshore marine services provider and highlight the demand for our accommodation work boats in supporting offshore operations across the region. We remain committed to delivering safe, efficient and high-quality services to our clients while expanding our presence in key offshore markets.”

The company explains that seven of these contracts are expected to begin in the first half of 2026, while one charter is scheduled to begin in early 2027. The firm contract durations range from two months to one year, with extension options ranging from one month to a year.

The Malaysian player explains that these awards underscore its ability to continue securing charter opportunities despite market conditions in the offshore support vessel (OSV) market, which has been affected by growing uncertainties in the global oil and gas environment.

These assignments come nearly a year after Keyfield made its first foray into the cable-laying business through the acquisition of a 98-meter-long cable-laying barge.