MPI CELEBRATES THE KEEL LAYING OF MPI DISCOVERY

Wednesday 7 July 2010

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday 7 July 2010

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MPI CELEBRATES THE KEEL LAYING OF MPI DISCOVERY

A tradition built up over centuries, the keel laying marks the ceremonial beginning of the ship's construction. The keel laying consists of placing the first major construction blocks in position on the skidway at the shipyard and represents an important milestone in the construction of the vessel. Only the ship's launching is considered more significant. Forming the backbone of a ship, the keel is the first part of the vessel to be constructed.

The complex equipment and systems that will be installed on the two vessels are being manufactured at subcontractor facilities all around the world and shipped to China for final integration and commissioning on board the vessels.

“MPI Adventure”, the first of these two wind turbine installation vessels, will arrive in European waters in the first quarter of 2011, with “MPI Discovery” due to follow during the third quarter.

The two, almost 140-metre-long vessels are being built side by side and make an imposing sight in the shipyard. Following their arrival in European waters, “MPI Adventure” and “MPI Discovery” will join “MPI Resolution”, MPI Offshore’s first wind turbine installation vessel. Together, the three vessels will make an important contribution in the delivery of renewable energy to the homes of Europe and beyond.

Paul Gibson, Chairman of MPI Offshore said "I am delighted to see the progress that is being made in our new build programme. This keel-laying ceremony marks a major milestone event in the construction schedule of “MPI Discovery”. We are delighted that construction is underway for this very significant project."

Notes to editors:

MPI Offshore, based in Stokesley, UK, has been pioneering the offshore wind turbine installation business since 2003, when the first dedicated wind turbine installation vessel was delivered: MPI Resolution. Over the past seven years MPI has been involved in numerous wind farm construction projects, including those on Barrow and Robin Rigg. During 2008, the company decided to invest USD 550 million in two state-of-the-art wind turbine installation vessels. These vessels are currently under construction at the Cosco Nantong Shipyard in China. For more information on MPI and its wide-ranging capabilities, please visit: www.mpi-offshore.com. MPI is a subsidiary of the Vroon Group, a Dutch-based, diversified ship-owning group with an extensive North Sea offshore fleet. For more information, please visit: www.vroon.nl.

For additional information on this press release, please contact:

Name:	Maxine Farnworth
Title:	PR Consultant
Phone No:	+44 (0)1642 742 200
Fax:	+44 (0)1642 714 921
E-Mail:	maxine.farnworth@mpi-offshore.com
Website:	www.mpi-offshore.com

Representatives of MPI Offshore and Cosco Nantong Shipyard at the keel-laying ceremony for “MPI Discovery”



A computer-generated image of the MPI Discovery