October 12 - Nantong Yahua Shipyard in China has started final preparations for launching the hull of the HLCV Borealis for Norwegian line Nordic Heavy Lift. The launching is scheduled to take place by mid October.

The construction contract for the hull including major part of the pipe work was let by NHL's main contractor Sembawang Shipyard, Singapore to the Nantong-based yard. 

According to Jaap Klein, NHL's project manager of the construction supervision team: "Initially there were some production capacity issues due to the workload at the yard: however SSPL and Nantong Yahua Shipyard managed to speed up and we are all very proud of the achievements made to date." 

Upon completion of the work at Nantong the Borealis hull will be towed to Singapore where it will arrive at the SSPL premises. Final outfitting and the installation of the 5,000 tonne Huisman crane will take place in Singapore.