Page 73: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 1999)

SHIP REPAIR & CONVERSION towards block bookings was

London's Andrew Weir, which will complete a four-ship deal with

France's Arno Dunkerque during

February. All four ships were due for mid-term drydocking.

Italian shipbuilding and repair specialist, T. Mariotti, has been awarded a contract to modify the

Japanese-built, 17,113-grt Italian- registered passenger RoRo ferry

Victory, owned by Italian ferry operator Grimaldi. The contract price has not yet been announced, but it is understood that the total value will be around $50 million.

Cammell Laird (Gibraltar) Ltd. has announced that inquiries are still at an all-time-high, with the latest coming from Maersk USA.

Over the Christmas period, 13 ships were undergoing repairs, including Shell's 298,308-dwt

VLCC Myrina and P&O Nedlloyd's 47,442-dwt containership

Cardigan Bay.

Sweden's Oresundsvarvet has been awarded the contract to repair Stena Line's 38,756-grt

Swedish passenger RoRo ferry

Stena Scandinavia, which was expected to arrive at the yard dur- ing late January 1999.

Norshipco Nabs

Argent Marine Contract

Argent Marine Services of

Yorktown, VA recently signed on with Norfolk Shipbuilding and

Drydock Corp. (Norshipco) to reac- tivate the LNG carrier Southern.

The vessel is scheduled to arrive in the yard this month, and undergo gas trials in October to begin oper- ating under a time charter to Shell

Bermuda (Overseas) Ltd.

FPSOs: The Next Big $ Deal?

The face of ship repair and con- version in the U.S. is drastically different than just five years ago, and the transformation is far more than cosmetic.

Consolidation of companies — a trend which is hardly confined to the maritime market — has left fewer, larger players. Stiff compe- tition from shipyards around the world has created tremendous price pressures, which has left the field even thinner, yet arguably stronger. Combine the above with a consis- tent investment in labor saving technologies, and the result is a viable, competitive and flexible ship repair and conversion base, which is multi- dimensional in its ability to juggle complex naval work with time-sensi- tive commercial jobs. Executives from many of the country's leading shipyards and supply organizations gathered in Washington, D.C. last week to discuss challenges facing the industry.

While sentiments regarding near-term prospects in the ship repair and

U.S. ship repair and conversion yards are hopeful that the Minerals Management Service will soon allow FPSO's in the Gulf of Mexico.

HAVENS FOR SICK SHIPS

Vancouver Shipyards and Victoria Shipyards will pick up and deliver crippled ships to the closest drydock.

Experienced repair teams take over and the ship is on its way again without delay.

Whether it is serious trouble or a matter of maintenance or minor repair, our shipyards are ready on the ways, alongside or at sea. Call us anytime, day or night. kY VANCOUVER SHIPYARDS 50 Pemberton Avenue

North Vancouver, B.C.

Canada V7P 2R2

Telephone: (604) 988-6361

Fax: (604) 990-3290 www.vanship.com kV VICTORIA SHIPYARDS 825 Admirals Road

Victoria, B.C.

Canada V9A2P1

Telephone: (250) 380-1602

Fax: (250) 995-6599 www.vicship.com

A Washington Company i 70 Circle 297 on Reader Service Card Circle 309 on Reader Service Card

VICTORIA VANCOUVER

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