Kazakhstani offshore vessel owner Caspian Offshore Construction (COC) has announced that it will purchase an anchor handling and tug supply (AHTS) vessel from Singapore-based offshore vessel builder Sinopacific Engineering Contracting (SPEC). This will be the first SPA90-series AHTS in COC’s fleet.
The vessel, named “Caspian Yili,” is currently under construction at Siying Shipyard. It is based on the SPA90 design, features a bollard pull of 90 tons, and is equipped with a DP2 dynamic positioning system and a diesel-electric propulsion system. Designed specifically for offshore operations, the vessel is expected to support a range of tasks including towing, anchoring operations, offshore logistics support, underwater operations, and offshore construction projects.
The Caspian Yili is expected to formally join the COC fleet in the fourth quarter of 2026, following the completion of delivery and deployment preparations. At that time, it will become the largest vessel in the company’s fleet.
COC stated that this vessel acquisition is part of its strategy to invest in offshore assets, aimed at expanding its presence in the international offshore market; the new vessel will significantly enhance the company’s operational capabilities, providing greater flexibility and capacity for complex offshore operations.
It is understood that COC was established in 2003 and currently operates approximately 30 vessels, including icebreakers, dive support vessels, tugs, crew carriers, survey vessels, multihull vessels, offshore accommodation vessels, barges, and hovercraft.
According to the official website of Nantong Siying Shipbuilding Engineering Co., Ltd., the shipyard held a keel-laying ceremony for the “Caspian Yili” at the Siying Tongshun Shipbuilding Base in July 2025. Siying Shipbuilding is a privately owned shipbuilding company established in 1993. It primarily engages in ship repair and construction, offshore engineering, and module fabrication. Its Tongshun base covers an area of 81,000 square meters and possesses the capacity for both modular and ship construction.