Sentinel Marine has splashed out more than £43million on five new rugged sea vessels with a Malaysian manufacturer.
The deal marks the second part of a £100million expansion plan after the firm committed last year to the first four of eight boats with manufacturer Nam Cheong.
The latest deal involves the acquisition of four emergency response and rescue vessels (ERRVs) designed for use in the harsh North Sea environment, and an anchor-handling towing supply vessel for its Singapore-based sister company.
The boats, designed by Focal Marine & Offshore, are being built at Nam Cheong’s subcontracted yards in China.
Sentinel, launched by Rory Deans in 2011, also has an office in Singapore.
Mr Deans was formerly managing director at Aberdeen-based Nomis Shipping, the company he founded with his father, Frank, in 1989.
They built the company up to more than 600 employees and a fleet of 32 vessels.