Gibdock books more cruise ship business

Gibraltar-based Gibdock has confirmed its status as a fast rising player in the Mediterranean cruise ship repair and refurbishment market by completing a drydocking contract for U.K.-based Saga Holidays.

Last month, the niche cruise operator docked the 9,570 gt, 139 m long Spirit of Adventure for a 10 day work program that included steel repairs to the bulbous bow and a comprehensive external clean and repaint.

Richard Beards, Gibdock Commercial Director, comments: “This is another important breakthrough for the yard as it is the first time we have had the opportunity to work for Saga, which has in the past used other yards in the region. The project was completed on time and within budget, and we are hopeful that we can build further on this initial collaboration through additional projects with Saga in the future.”

The 350-passenger capacity Spirit of Adventure was originally built by HDW in Germany as Berlin in 1980 and was acquired by Saga in 2005 for its Sprit of Adventure Cruises brand. The vessel, homeported in Dover, offers cruises to a wide range of destinations, including the UK, Scandinavia, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australasia, as well as the Mediterranean.

Gibdock is emerging as an increasingly important yard for the Mediterranean’s cruise industry.

“With cruise repair facilities in Barcelona closing down, we are showing that we are more than capable of stepping into the breach,” noted Mr. Beards. ‘We have handled a succession of cruise ships in recent months, and have two further cruise ships confirmed for November this year.”

Cruise visitors to Gibdock so far in 2011 have included the 33,930 grt, 215 m long cruise vessel Thomson Celebration for first time customer, Cyprus-based Columbia Ship Management. The ship docked in March for an extensive package of works that included general drydocking and tailshaft overhauls, as well as the renewal of around 40 tonnes of steel on one of its decks.

Gibdock’s ability to handle complex structural repair work on large cruise ships was also demonstrated towards the end of 2010 when it successfully completed demanding back-to-back repairs on two Pullmantur vessels, Empress and Sovereign. Both projects required significant amounts of steel renewal as well as routine drydocking work.

Gibdock Chief Executive, Joe Corvelli says: “We are targeting the cruise ship market in a big way, and contracts for major players like Saga, Louis Cruises, Columbia and Pullmantur show we are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with. Our location makes us an ideal choice for operators cruising in the Mediterranean in particular and we have been able to demonstrate an ability to complete demanding work programmes within fairly tight time limits, which is vital for cruise operators, who need to know they can get to their next port of call on time to pick up passengers.”

June 22, 2011