Page 7: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 1992)

FELS Launches Second

A.P. Moller Rig

Far East Levingston Shipbuild- ing Ltd (FELS) has successfully launched the second of two giant jackup rigs it is building for A.P.

Moller of Denmark.

The rig was recently eased out of the 400,000-dwt Admiral Dock at

FELS Pioneer Yard. It was a deli- cate operation requiring precision maneuvering since there was less than a meter's clearance between the sides of the hull and the dock walls.

The jackup is now at the South

Quay where FELS will install the cantilever, drill-floor and the rest of the leg sections before commission- ing the equipment.

Work on the first A.P. Moller rig, launched last September, is at a more advanced stage. Measuring 256.5 feet by 296.27 feet by 35.4 feet, these two rigs will be the largest in the world when completed this year.

FELS recently also completed life- enhancement modifications and con- version of a semisubmersible which recently left Pioneer Yard.

The yard carried out extensive modifications to extend the life of the 18-year-old Sedco 702, which was also converted to enable it to perform tender-assisted drilling op- erations. The life-enhancement modifications and conversion are believed to be the first in the indus- try.

For further information on the facilities and capabilities for FELS,

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Southwest Marine

Celebrates 15 Years

Of 'Crafting Quality'

In celebration of the 15th anni- versary of its founding, Southwest

Marine Inc. (SWM) is announcing its dedication and commitment to the principles of Total Quality Man- agement (TQM).

SWM has grown from modest beginnings in 1977 to become the largest network of ship repair yards on the West Coast.

SWM has joined forces with Or- ganizational Dynamics Inc. (ODI) to implement a TQM training program involving workers from every area and level of the organization. ODI is custom-designing this program, along with SWM's human resources and training departments, to meet the unique requirements of SWM's environment. ODI has successfully developed quality systems for many nationally known firms.

According to Herb Engle, South- west Marine's chief operating offi- cer: "This ongoing process is not to be taken lightly. Our customer and the delivery of a quality project are our highest priorities. We will con- tinue to sharpen our company's fo- cus on productivity and teamwork in all aspects of our relationships with our co-workers and our cus- tomers. As we refine our strategies to support the needs of our custom-

March, 1992 ers, we will continue to maximize the value they receive when doing business with Southwest Marine."

For literature detailing the ser- vices offered by Southwest Marine,

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Surge In Orders, Output

Reported By Chinese Yards

Showing a sharp increase over the 600,000-dwt average in the pre- vious three years, China State Ship- building Corp. reported that it pro- duced 800,000-dwt of ships last year.

Last year, export orders were worth $528 million, the company said. The state-owned Chinese ship- builder had forecast earnings of $300 million from exports in 1991, up from $100 million the year before.

The company said total foreign and domestic orders in 1991 amounted to 1.65 million dwt, about evenly split between the first and second halves of the year.

General manager of China State

Shipbuilding Shang Shou said the industry will adopt a two-stage ap- proach to growth.

From now to 1995 (the "founda- tion-laying" period), the target is annual output of 1.4 million dwt.

Half of that is meant to be for export, bringing in $500 million a year.

Through the "development pe- riod" (the year 2000), yards will im- prove manufacturing and repair ca- pacity, produce more raw materials and equipment domestically, and improve research and design.

We've won more battles than most navies

Your ship can be in danger before it ever touches the water. When it's being built.. .or overhauled.. .or repaired.. .schedule slippages, cost overruns and claims can sink you before you sail.

Unless your crew includes Arkhon.

We're specialists in marine program management and contract claims resolution. We can help you draft contract provisions which limit your risks; monitor the scheduling and progress of work; keep costs within bounds; and minimize shipyard claims.

If claims do occur, we're there-with your attorney-to resolve them. By negotiation or, if necessary, in court where our professionals serve as expert witnesses.

We've been on board with the Navy...Coast

Guard...MARAD...commercial shipowners. And we're ready to climb your gangway.

Call 404/381-9000 for more information or a no-obligation meeting.

You know ships. We know contracts.

ARKHON

Because every threat to your ship CORPORATION doesn't come from the sea.'" Marine Division

Building 300 • 5300 Oakbrook Parkway • Norcross, Georgia 30093

Tel: 404/381-9000 • Fax: 404/381-8382

Cherry Hill (609) 663-7000

Newport Beach (714) 852-8000

Washington (202) 342-1000

London (071) 490-1713

See us at Cruise Shipping March 10-14, 1992 in Miami. Booth #1035.

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