Secure Local Drilling Capacity Ahead of Mining and Trenchless Demand

What happened

Kim Heng’s Singapore subsidiary formed a 50/50 joint venture with Heungwoo Industrial to incorporate a Korea‑based company focused on horizontal directional drilling (HDD), pipe jacking and direct pipe works. The JV will provide local procurement, personnel and specialist trenchless equipment to support onshore and nearshore projects in Korea and nearby APAC markets. Watch whether the JV becomes an active bidder on shore‑approach or pipeline packages that have previously used non‑Korean suppliers

Why the category manager should care

This JV is an operational supply change: it can shorten lead times and reduce freight for Korea‑sourced trenchless work, making local bids more competitive for nearby APAC scopes

Key facts

• TTI (50% owned) subscribed to JV shares
• JV scope includes HDD, pipe jacking and direct pipe works in Korea

What happened

VARD launched the hull for an offshore subsea construction vessel (OSCV) being built for Taiwan’s Dong Fang Offshore and the ship is now moving to Norway for final outfitting and commissioning. The outfitting focuses on heavy‑lift capability, ROV hangars and a large work deck suitable for cable and subsea installation work, with delivery slated by the yard’s stated schedule. Buyers should track final‑outfitting milestones closely because delivery slips will affect APAC subsea vessel availability

Why the category manager should care

This is a medium‑term capacity signal: the vessel will expand APAC subsea options once delivered but is not immediately available for near‑term mobilisations

Key facts

• VARD hull NB 988 launched and bound for Norway for final outfitting
• Vessel configured with 250 MT active heave‑compensated crane, ROV hangars and large work deck
• Delivery scheduled by yard in a stated mid‑term window

What happened

Wildcat Resources expanded lithium exploration in the Pilbara after drilling produced strong pegmatite intersections and the company advanced resource modelling toward a maiden resource estimate. The results underpin additional resource‑definition drilling that will require local rigs, sampling and logistics support in Western Australia. Buyers should watch whether the program scales into multiple contracted drilling campaigns that will lock regional rig capacity

Why the category manager should care

Treat this as a real local demand signal for onshore drilling and sampling services that can translate into immediate tendering and mobilisation needs

Key facts

• Drilling outlined a stacked pegmatite system across a multi‑kilometre area
• Strong lithium intersections reported and resource modelling advancing
• Company targeting a maiden mineral resource estimate in the next planning phase

What happened

Macmahon won a contract to construct an underground decline at the Groundrush deposit, mobilising for portal works and creating platforms for an extensive resource‑definition drilling campaign. The decline supports a multi‑stage drilling program and therefore generates prolonged demand for rigs, logistics and specialist underground services. Buyers should align supplier commitments with portal mobilisation dates and verify underground HSE and specialist rescue readiness

Why the category manager should care

This award produces a solid, contract‑backed demand for drilling support services; treat mobilisation dates as binding input for supplier planning

Key facts

• Contract covers underground decline construction with portal works
• Decline supports approximately 33,000 metres of subsequent resource‑definition drilling
• Portal mobilisation and initial works scheduled to start in the near term