Sembcorp Marine flags hiring challenges, project delays

Sembcorp Marine said Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) restrictions would impact its operations.

Shipyard operator Sembcorp Marine is having difficulty in completing projects on time due to a shortage of manpower.

In a business update posted on the Singapore Exchange, the firm said it continues to face supply chain constraints and a shortage of skilled workers, which in turn led to delays in some of its projects.

“Resolving the skilled manpower shortage on a timely basis is the Group’s key priority to address the risk of project delays or terminations,” Sembcorp Marine said.

It plans to coordinate with relevant authorities to expedite the entry of skilled workers into Singapore.

It further warned that the imposition of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) restrictions could further challenge its recruitment plans.

“The Group has therefore been exploring alternative sources of skilled workers, which is likely to incur increased manpower costs for some of its ongoing projects,” the company said.

Sembcorp Marine earlier announced that the delivery dates of its two ultra-deepwater drill ships contracted by Transocean Offshore Deepwater Holdings have been delayed to December 2021 and May 2022.