EXPANSION MOVES
Despite competition from yards in places like Poland and China, many yards in traditional ship repair centers continue to expand.

One interesting move was Lloyd Werft's opening of Lloyd Werft (Grand Bahama) in September. Now, though, the German ship repair and conversion specialistt, has decided to pull out of the deal to concentrate on its expanding business at home.

With this increase in European business, Lloyd Werft was released from its participation as shareholder and manager of the Freeport shipyard. The Grand Bahama Port Authority is understood to now be very close to joining with a new partner, possibly Cammell Laird, U.K..

The Freeport facility was developed for the sole purpose of competing with U.S. east coast and Gulf shipyards that at present dominate the Miami-based cruise vessel repair market. Many cruise ship owners and operators are keen to see an alternative within the U.S.-Caribbean area to save costly deviation to north European yards.

Elsewhere, a decision will be made next month relating to the possible takeover of Rotterdam’s Verolme Botlek BV by Singapore’s Keppel Fels. A spokesperson for the Dutch shipyard recently confirmed that discussions between Wilton Fijenoord Holdings BV (Verolme Botlek’s parent), Keppel Fels and Verolme Botlek are progressing well and are still in the due diligence process at present.

It was announced recently (November) that German engineering giant, ThyssenKrupp has decided not to sell its Blohm + Voss GmbH (including sister shipyard B+V Repair, Hamburg) and Thyssen Nordseewerke shipyards, following the group’s failure to float its steel-making division.

Despite recently reporting a steep decline in turnover achieved for 1999, Germany’s Flender Werft is currently extending its capabilities with the construction of a new floating dock at its yard in Lubeck. The new dock, which will allow the accommodation of ships up to 20,000 dwt, will have an overall length of 220m and a width of 45m. Work has already started on the new dock, which is scheduled for commission by the end of February next year.

In southern Europe, Spain’s Bazan has taken over Astilleros Españoles’ two ship repair yards, Cadiz Shipyard and Astano Shipyard. Bazan now operates five repair yards. The old Astano shipyard has been renamed Fene Shipyard and the Cadiz Shipyard will keep its original name. Apart from these two yards, Bazan also has repair facilities in La Coruna (Ferrol Shipyard), Cartagena (Cartagena Shipyard) and a second in Cadiz (San Fernando Shipyard).