Petra Perdana Bhd has secured RM73 million worth of new charter contracts for three mid-sized anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels.

In the first contract, a 12,000 bhp (brake horsepower) AHTS would be on a six-month charter from May 1 for deployment in Labuan, while in the second contract, another 12,000 bhp AHTS would be on 18-month charter from May 7 to work from its Kemaman base.

In a statement today, Petra Perdana said each of the charters could be extended for a period of up to two months.

Petra Perdana said it has also secured a one-year charter renewal, effective June 23, 2011, for a 10,800 bhp AHTS vessel that was currently supporting Petronas Carigali's operations.

Its managing director, Shamsul Saad, said the new charters confirmed that demand recovery was well in progress, especially in medium-sized AHTS segment.

The utilisation rate of our newbuilds has been improving, albeit gradually, to more than 80 per cent now from less than 60 per cent at the beginning of the year, he said. -- Bernama