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U.K. Maritime Report in recent years in tonnage such as stain- less steel chemtankers and sophisticated offshore vessels.

Govan is one of four European yards which Kvaerner has identified within its so-called "exit strategy" for immediate downscaling leading to ultimate closure if a buyer cannot be found. By contrast, most Kvaerner shipyards are the subject of plans for spin-off through an issue to shareholders, or through joint ventures with other shipbuilders whereby

Kvaerner's investment would be reduced over time.

Commercial newbuilding construction now is on a very modest scale in the

U.K., albeit with resilient and depend- able names such as Appledore Ship- builders in Devon, and Ferguson Ship- builders at Port Glasgow continuing to make their mark in fields of specialized small-ship production.

A Scottish success story of recent years has been the re-emergence of the west coast yard Ailsa-Troon under the ownership of the Derbyshire cathodic engineering specialist Cathelco. It has pursued business across a broad front, with a measured return to newbuilding complementing activities in shiprepair, craft refurbishment and steel fabrica- tion. Milestone events in 1998 included the delivery of a 131 ft. (40 m) fishing vessel, the largest trawler built in Britain for two decades, and a £20 million ($32 million) landing craft deal, its biggest contract for 25 years or more. It can build ships up to 374 ft. (114 m) length wholly under cover.

In southern England, FBM Marine continues to exert its influence not only in the construction of fast, lightweight vessels, but also in its prolific output of high-speed ferry designs, including those licensed to Pequot River Ship- works in the U.S. by and FBM Aboitiz in the Philippines. The company has been investigating possibilities for rais- ing the scale of its shipbuilding opera- tions beyond those permitted by its riverside yard on the Isle of Wight.

In the meantime, profitable Harland and Wolff has made further advances in its transition from traditional shipbuild- ing to technology-intensive construction and conversion projects for the offshore and other sectors. Underscoring its new business orientation, the combined value of the two deepwater drillships ordered last year by Houston-based

Global Marine constituted the largest

UiE Scotland Heightens

Reputation With Delivery

UiE Scotland passed delivery of the

Bleo Holm FPSO to Bluewater, produc- ing the first oil from the Ross Field in the UKCS for Talisman Energy.

The vessel, completed by its agreed delivery date was handed over 100 per- cent mechanically complete.

Upon completion of the 22 month project that encompassed engineering, procurement, fabrication and installa- tion, the commissioning of about 9,000 tons of topsides and equipment were also performed.

In August 1997, the vessel's bare hull was towed from Japan to UIE's Clyde- bank yard. The company had previous- ly invested more than $2.45 million to extend and deepen berthing facilities in order to accommodate the 106,000-ton, 794 x 138 ft (242 x 42 m) vessel.

Commencement of the FPSO's con- struction began with the installation of foundation steel work on the vessel's hull — providing support for the top- sides packages.

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