ABB Opens FPSO Competence Center in Singapore

Building on competence in marine and offshore systems and solutions, ABB says it will be bringing expertise in Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO)/Floating Storage Offloading (FSO) projects closer to customers in the expanding Asian market by opening an engineering centre in Singapore to carry out engineering of FPSO projects in the marine and oil and gas industries.

“ABB has been the front runner in delivering total electrical systems for offshore drilling rigs for the last decade and will continue to develop in similar areas by building up more resources for the growing FPSO/FSO market in Singapore,” said James Foo, president and country manager, ABB Singapore.

"We are now in a favorable position to further leverage and build up on resources, recruit the necessary technical expertise in a more competitive job market, respond to industry demands and realize our company’s growth potential in the FPSO/FSO market."

ABB's capabilities for the FPSO/FSO market include power generation and distribution, onboard drives, electric propulsion, automation and telecommunication, and project execution. They also include the supply of an E-house, which is a specially designed structure that houses a vessel's entire electrical system, customizable for specific needs and built in advance at an inland location, to cut production time and cost.

"We are delighted by ABB's decision to locate its new competence centre for the FPSO business in Singapore,” said Manohar Khiatani, assistant managing director, Singapore Economic Development Board. “This is a clear indication of ABB's confidence in Singapore and our leadership position in the marine and offshore industry."

The marine and offshore industry in Singapore accounts for 70 percent of the global market in rig building and FPSO conversion, ship repair, and all activities that involve complex engineering design and project management skills.

ABB established a global Centre of Competence for Marine Drilling Drives Systems in the country in 2005 with 15 engineers. It now has 90 dedicated engineers, and revenue has risen more than four-fold over the last two years, says the company.