Despite sluggish economy, LISNAVE repairs more ships in 2013

The Eagle Tucson in drydock at LISNAVE in Portugal

MARCH 11, 2014—In an extremely competitive ship repair market, Portugal shipyard LISNAVE Estaleiros Navais, S.A., Setubal, held its own in 2013, repairing a total of 107 vessels, including 103 dry dockings and four afloat repairs.

LISNAVE says that although the figures represent a 6% increase in the number of vessels repaired compared to the previous year (101 ships in 2012), the workload per vessel was less. This reduction in maintenance work on existing vessel is the result of general cost containment by shipowners in the face of continued depressed freight rates in a sluggish global economy.

Vessels repaired were from 60 different customers, from 23 countries around the world, among which are: Singapore with 29 vessels, Greece with 20, U.K. with eight, Norway and Denmark with seven each and Germany with six.

LISNAVE benefited from a high percentage value of repeat business from clients in 2013, with A.P. Moller-Maersk (Singapore and Denmark) leading the way with 14 repairs, followed by Teekay (U.K., Norway and Singapore) with seven ships and AET with six.

With excellent drydock and equipment facilities, complemented with a high know-how accumulated throughout its long existence, LISNAVE repaired a wide variety of type of ships, with 61 tankers, 19 container ship and seven LNG/LPG carriers in addition  to offshore supply vessels, and dredgers.

In terms of demand and workload, among the most significant repairs performed in 2013, were: the offshore platform Lewek Leader of Singapore, with the manufacturing and assembly of a new spudcam; the container vessel ex-Maersk Brownsville, with the complete replacement of the bulbous bow; the Danish chemical vessel Harbour Krystal, with bow damage repairs involving the replacement of 160 tons of steel; the barge Saipem S44, with numerous works of preparation and structural modification for a new offshore project; and PGS’ seismic vessel Ramform Sovereign, with relevant scientific systems maintenance work.

LISNAVE says that while the unpredictability continues to characterize the world economy, it expects to be successful in the highly competitive market of ship maintenance and repair activity.