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asked to provide accommodations for the by a large margin. But the marine sector deliver the superstructure to Davie while for several years, ALMACO too is chal- ? rst Floatel International unit, Floatel Su- is certainly not limited to cruise, and in sharing the technical knowledge with the lenged. “There is a bene? t to us having perior. “We were already in Singapore for this regard Roberts sees green ? elds of Canadian team as part of the partnership. these two businesses – Marine and Off- the cruise business, and they invited us to opportunity to roll the ALMACO con- ALMACO’s scope of work included shore – because one is booming and one work with them to lift the quality stan- cept into shipyards globally. the full EPC (Engineering, Procurement is not,” said Roberts. “We also are re- dard of accommodations on the Floatel Just last month, in a partnership with and Construction) contract for the ac- shuf? ing our resources. The level of out- project, which included 440 NORSOK- Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec, Canada, commodation unit including cabins, pub- ? t is much higher on a cruise ship than compliant cabins. Since then the business ALMACO delivered an out? tted accom- lic areas, galley, provision stores, wheel- an offshore accommodation, but it’s the has taken off.” modation unit for installation on a con- house and technical spaces, combining same fundamental concept, it’s the same

ALMACO is also well situated in the verted containership which will become cruise-ship standard accommodation method of installation. That is another global cruise industry, a business that has Canada’s Resolve-Class AOR; a naval with military requirements. bene? t to our movable, mobile manufac- been booming for a number of years with auxiliary vessel which will be the larg- turing process.” more, ever-larger ships. While Roberts est ship operating in the Royal Canadian Strong Roots, Bright Future ALMACO’s ? exibility has served it was remiss to point out one project in the Navy ? eet. ALMACO literally delivered Roberts joined ALMACO as CEO in well, enabling it to nimbly turn and ef- cruise sector that stood above all others, the living quarters completely out? tted 2005 after running the passenger ship ? ciently serve an ever changing global he did admit a great satisfaction and pride with all accommodation facilities, ready division at MacGregor, which was ac- maritime market. “This business is in being onboard the Genting Dream of to ‘plug and play.’ Making this contract quired by ALMACO. “I think the spirit changing all of the time. In the early

Dream Cruises, which is the ? rst custom perhaps a bit more special is the unit was of the company is incredible, the same as years, there were fewer ships and smaller made cruise ship for the Chinese cruise built in Finland and delivered in Quebec when I joined. We are a bunch of highly organizations and there has been a big shipping market. “It is purpose built for via ocean barge. “That’s 2,200 tons of motivated people, very international and consolidation. Today the companies are the Chinese market and we built all of living quarters transported on an ocean at our best when working on dif? cult more professional in their approach es- the food handling areas,” said Roberts. barge from Rauma, Finland to Quebec, products and demanding projects.” pecially when it comes to our accom-

He sees great opportunity in China, as Canada … that’s pretty cool,” Roberts Today ALMACO is about 200 people modation and food handling equipment; some market prognosticators predict that said in understatement. Thanks to AL- strong, and while it started in the refur- they know what they want. We have to within a decade China’s cruise industry MACO’s skills and technological exper- bishment business, nearly 60% of its be much more aggressive and constantly could be larger than Florida’s cruise in- tise in accommodation construction, the revenue today comes from the newbuild ? nd new ways to become more competi- dustry, which is today the world’s largest company was able to meet the deadline to sector. With the offshore business down tive. It is a much bigger industry.” “... that’s pretty cool.” ALMACO built this fully out? tted accommo- dation unit in Rauma, Finland and delivered it to Quebec, Canada

Photo: Almaco www.marinelink.com 19

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