News of multiple orders accompanied the revelation this week that Sinopacific Shipbuilding had recruited Wang Xingru, managing director of state-owned Cosco Pacific.

Market sources differ on the exact make-up of the Rolls-Royce-design order for an unnamed European offshore operator but expect that it could be for eight ships if all options are exercised. The order could involve two firm, plus two option copies of the more advanced, larger UT 776s, plus an unknown number of UT 771s.

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