The World's selling crewboat just got better
Penguin Rolls out new Flex-40 Series in 2014
Never content with sitting still, the world's busiest crewboat builder, Penguin Shipyard International, has just rolled out its new Flex series of mid-sized, multi-role crewboats.
Penguin Shipyard International is a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly listed Penguin International Limited.
In March this year, the Singapore-based designer-builder-owner-operator of crewboats delivered the first of its new Flex-40 Series of crewboats through its internally funded Evergreen Production Programme. Succeeding the Flex-38 Series, the new Flex-40 Series features two model types: the Baudouin-powered Green Crewboat, Flex-40, and the Cummins-powered Fast Crewboat, Flex-40SL. The first unit, a Flex-40, has already been snapped up by Miclyn Express Offshore, the world's largest owner of Flex crewboats.
The Flex-40 can carry up to 90 passengers and has a 100-square metre cargo deck with 86,000 litres of fuel capacity. It runs on three Baudouin 12M26.2 mechanically controlled main engines with a total power of 3600 BHP (up 10% from the 2013 Flex-38 model type) and a top speed of over 25 knots.
The Flex-40SL can carry up to 78 passengers and has a 110-square metre cargo deck with 93,000 litres of fuel capacity. It is powered by three mechanically controlled Cummins KTA 38-M2 main engines, which propel the vessel to speeds of over 27 knots.
The new Flex-40 Series features significant enhancements and upgrades, including expanded fuel capacities, re-engineered bow thruster, new German-designed seats, improved bridge visibility and a Palfinger knuckle-boom crane as standard equipment.
Along with the new Flex, Penguin has also broadened its range of owner options, which include High Performance Ballistic Protection, machine gun mounts, on-board armoury, night vision device, extra passenger cabins and showers, just to name a few.
Despite a construction programme comprising more than 30 crewboats this year, Penguin is still able to produce a Flex in under six months, from keel lay to delivery. Its secret lies in its flexible and empowered workforce as well as dedicated project partners such as Cummins, Baudouin, Twin Disc and Palfinger, all of whom benefit from the economies of scale generated by the volume production. Significantly, Penguin funds its Evergreen Production Programme with its internal cash reserves of over US$30 million and no debt as at the end of 2013.
Today, there are close to 100 Flexes operating around the world from Asia to Africa, serving primarily the offshore and maritime security industries.
"We need to keep innovating and listening to our owners in order to maintain our lead in the global crewboat industry," said Penguin Shipyard's General Manager Philip Tan, "Standing still is not an option."
This article was originally published on Marine & Industrial Report newspaper Vol 36 No.2 Issue last April 30, 2014.
