(EnergyAsia, April 13 2012, Friday) — IHC Merwede, the Netherlands-based global supplier of efficient dredging and mining vessels and equipment, and custom-built ships, has opened an Asia Pacific office in Singapore.

The company said the PSA Building office will be the corporate headquarters for IHC Offshore & Marine’s Southeast Asia businesses to add to the existing IHC Parts & Services office in Jurong which manages its life-cycle support operations.

IHC Merwede said the new venture will promote its offshore and marine vessels and technology solutions as well as boost its building capacity and marine engineering capability.

At this week’s opening of the office by Johannes W. Jansing, The Netherlands’ ambassador to Singapore, the company’s regional CEO Denis Welch said:

“IHC Merwede is not just a shipbuilder per se, but also an aggregation of engineering and manufacturing companies, which combines to provide unique and value-added solutions to its customers.”

IHC Merwede’s President Govert Hamers said:

“With Denis Welch’s appointment in place and the new office now established, we are ready to accelerate our growth in Asia.

Having our Southeast Asia corporate headquarters in Singapore is a big part of our global strategy.

“We are happy to increase our commitment to Asia. It is a major international maritime oil and gas hub and has the necessary infrastructure in place. As our Asian customers come to benefit from our customised and technological solutions, plans are already in place to expand the company in the region.”

IHC Merwede has over 3,000 employees in various locations in The Netherlands, Brazil, China, Croatia, France, India, Malaysia, the Middle East, Nigeria, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, the UK and the US.