FAR EAST UPDATE
the yard, although it is operated on
a purely autonomous basis. This
new drydock complimented the
existing two graving docks — with
capacities of 15,000 and 25,000-
dwt, respectively.
This new drydock is now main-
land China's largest repair facility,
and it has already drydocked its
largest ever ship, Zodiac's 201,227-
dwt bulk carrier Brazil Star, which
entered the yard last year. Also in
1996, the yard carried out its two
largest repair contracts onboard
ships owned by Tsakos (600 tons of
steel renewal) and European
Navigation (400 to 500 tons).
There are also plans this year to
spend $3.5 million on new equip-
ment, including grit blasting and
painting units for the new drydock.
A technical agreement with
Singapore's Sembawang allowed
the yard to gain a contract from
U.S. oil major Phillips to carry out
repairs to FPSO Nan Hai Kai Tuo,
which is operating off the Chinese
coast on behalf of China National
Oil Co.
Gwangzhou Wenchong is also a
newbuilding yard and its current
orderbook comprises a series of
four 1,200-TEU containerships for
Germany's Leonhardt & Blomberg.
This first vessel, which is the
owner's design, is due for delivery
during July and will be followed
every five and a half months by the
deliveries of the remaining three
ships in the series.
To further its expertise in tank
blasting and coatings operations,
Nantong Shipyard is prepared to
sign a cooperation agreement with
German blasting specialist
Mulhearn, most likely in May. The
yard is also in the process of gain-
ing ISO 9002 accreditation with
DNV.
The yard, which was founded in
1992, has recently become a joint
venture, with Japan's Kawasaki
Heavy Industries holding a 50 per-
cent share. Facilities include two
floating docks with capacities of
80,000 and 150,000 dwt, with the
larger unit claiming honors as the
largest floating dock in mainland
China.
The progress into the interna-
tional market has been steady with
management currently claiming
about 60 percent of the ship
repairs coming from overseas own-
ers. The largest repair operation
carried out involved Seahorse
Shipping's bulk carrier Oceani
Minanoa, which underwent som
1,700 tons of steel renewal durinj
the latter part of 1995 and earb
1996.
Repair Trends
Competition from both mainland
China and the Middle East is slow-
ly taking a toll upon the Singapore
area, the traditional world leader
in the repair industry. This
increased competition for
Singapore has come at a time when
the area has increased its repair
capacity from some 2.8 million dwt
capacity during the early 1990s to
its present level of more than 4.1
million dwt.
The main consequence of these
two factors is that there is now
likely to be, for the first time, a
1997 International
Oil Spill Conference
Improving Environmental
Protection —
Progress, Challenges,
Responsibilities
USCG USEPA API IPIECA IMO
April 7 -10
Fort Lauderdale Convention Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
15th Biennial Conference Featured Speakers:
• Lesley Stahl, co-editor, CBS News 60 Minutes
• Joanna Lumley, British television actress
• "Dr. Beach," Stephen P. Leatherman,
University of Maryland Coastal Research
• Rear Admiral James C. "Jim" Card
U. S. Coast Guard
Registration:
Courtesy Associates, Inc.
Amy Landsbaum
(202) 639-4202
Exhibits:
Trade Associates, Inc.
Richard Green
(301)468-3210
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88 Circle 325 on Reader Service Card
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