Maersk Contractors has taken delivery of a new ultra harsh environment jack-up rig from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. in Korea on 23 July 2004. The rig is identical to the MÆRSK INNOVATOR, which was delivered in 2003 and has since been employed in the North Sea.


The new rig has been given the name MÆRSK INSPIRER.


The sister rigs are the largest and most advanced jack-up drilling rigs in the world and are designed for operation in harsh environments, such as the northern part of the North Sea and other areas in the world with similar weather conditions.


The MÆRSK INSPIRER is scheduled to arrive in the North Sea by the end of 2004.

“The new features and capabilities of these rigs have already proven their value as they have been put to good use on the MÆRSK INNOVATOR for our clients. The extended cantilever reach, the increased deck space & deck load and, not least, the improved efficiency of the MÆRSK INNOVATOR has made the entry into the market a great success and we are confident that the MÆRSK INSPIRER will be equally successful," said Tage Bundgaard, President of Maersk Contractors.


Contact: Tage Bundgaard, President, telephone: +45 33 63 32 32.


Copenhagen, 23 July 2004.


Maersk Contractors
Maersk Contractors operates a fleet of drilling rigs and production units. The fleet is engaged all over the world drilling for, or producing, oil and gas for the oil companies.


Since its establishment in 1972 Maersk Contractors, including its affiliated company Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC), has built up a fleet of some 60 drilling rigs including advanced jack-ups, semisubmersibles, drilling barges and landrigs.


The fleet also includes three floating production storage and offloading ships. These units produce oil and gas from marginal fields, or fields at large water depths, with subsequent transport to shore via pipelines or tanker vessels.


Maersk Contractors is part of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group and employs approximately 5,500 people.