KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- Marine support services provider, Alam Maritim Resources Bhd (AMRB), is embarking on a RM150 million fleet expansion.

It is purchasing two vessels from Pacific Crest Pte Ltd (PCPL) and one from Prime Offshore International Pte Ltd (POLP).

In a statement here Monday, AMRB said the vessels would be financed by proceeds from its recent initial public offering exercise as well as borrowing from financial institutions. AMRB said the two vessels from PCPL were of anchor handling tug and supply (AHTS) type, while the one POLP would be support and maintainance vessel.

"The AHTS will be deployed in the operational waters of Malaysia, South-East Asia and West Asia to support the anchor handling, towing and straight supply activities on time-charter basis.

"The support vessel will be used for moderate water depth operational activities and also to support the deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration, production and development in unrestricted waters," it said.

AMRB managing director, Azmi Ahmad, said the new vessels would add positively to the group's bottom line as there was an ever growing demand for the services in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

The vessels would be registered under Malaysian flag.