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SCANDINAVIAN REPORT (Continued from page 82) shipbuilder, one with many yards strategically positioned around the world, but similar in that they offer a variety of specialized, high value vessels and innovations. Speaking with his Norwegian Shipbuilding Association hat on, Arnt S. Hana, vice president, shipbuilding for Kvaerner ASA, said that the challenges facing Norwegian shipbuilders is the country itself, considering the high cost of doing business here. He maintains that the shipyards, to survive, must stay at the forefront of technology and continue to develop and deliver specialty, niche vessels. The shipowner associa- tion's primary concern today is bro- kering a parallel system to its main competitors, the European yards, in terms of subsidies. In terms of ship's equipment, it's worthy to reiterate that Norwegian manufacturers continue to develop advanced solutions for all of the world's fleet. (Or, as a recent example points out, buy a worthy competitor, as Ulstein recently announced its acquisition of Bird Johnson for $24 million). The concept of developing advanced technology and market- ing it for a variety of applications is embodied in the attached story regarding Brunvoll's marketing of thrusters to the cruise ship market (see story, page 86) Jan Spilleth of the Norwegian Trade Council points out that one of the biggest challenges to ship equipment makers remains fallin prices, even though developmer and manufacturing costs remai: high. In an effort to remain com petitive, Norwegian suppliers ar quickly building relationship! among yards, owners and equip ment suppliers, in an effort to gar ner help in developing new equip ment. As margins continue t( tighten, Mr. Spilleth said thai) suppliers might look to extend their markets to, for example, the Far East, a move that would even-| tually entail local production. (Continued from page 87) position in the cruise ship market, extending contractual links with both Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean International. In addition to the $375 million new- building of 2,100 passenger-capaci- ty ordered by Carnival this year as the start of a further three-ship program, the Finnish company booked a $390-million vessel for Costa Crociere, the Italian affiliate of Carnival, and U.K. firm Airtours. Aker Finnyards' workload has been bolstered by commitments to new RoRo tonnage by prominent Finnish operators maintaining regular, year-round Baltic links with the U.K. and Continental Europe. The $45.5 million contract with HALEY CLUTCHES IGEARS1 COUPLINGS 800-6,000 HP Range • Ratios From 2:1 Up To 10:1 Able To Match Existing Foundations With Custom Designs HALEST Clutches & Couplings Complete The Perfect Package HALEY Rl2828 PNEUMAT1C CLUTCH MARINE GEAR At HALEY DRI2016 HYDRAULIC CLUTCH MARINE GEAR MEMBER AMERICAN GEAR MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION MARINE GEARS, INC P.O. BOX 689 . Greenville, MS 38702-0689 • TEL 601-332-8716 • FAX 601-335-4322 MARINE GEARS INTERNATIONAL, INC. 2600 Concord • Belle Chasse. Louisiana 70037 TEL 504-394-4431 OR TOLL FREE 1-800-227-9198 • FAX 504-394-1460 Circle 267 on Reader Service Card 90 Rederi AB Engship for a 9,300-dwt trailer and freight ferry, followed by a $91 million deal with Bore Line for two 11,000-dwt, 2,600- lane-meter freight ships, under- scores the versatility of the Rauma yard, in which Aker Maritime has secured a 60 percent stake. The production program this year has otherwise included the latest hybrid icebreaker-cum-off- shore construction vessel ordered by the Finnish authorities, and a drilling deck structure for a shut- tle tanker adaptation project, in addition to a purpose-designed Baltic bulker and fast surface com- batant for the Finnish Navy. Finnyards design, materials and production know-how in the large, fast ferry field - which assimilated during the R&D for, and construction of, Stena's huge HSS catamarans — provides a technological resource to be tapped again when market conditions| warrant. As part of the deal which hasl taken the Norwegian group intol Finland, Aker Maritime has the right and the obligation to acquire the balance of 40 percent in Aker Finnyards over the next three years. At present, that holding is in the lap of FY-Industries, repre- j senting the interests of the Finnish forestry products company UPM- Kymmene, investment firm Optiomi and the Finnish state. Possibilities for cooperation with Aker Group shipbuilders in Norway are under evaluation. Two Norwegian yard clusters, the Langsten Group and Brattvaag Industrier, are majority-owned by Aker RGI. Langsten encompasses three shipyards and a fabricator, while Brattvaag also takes in Soviknes Verft, bought from Den Norske Bank in 1996. ShipTech offers reliable and personal services for decision makers within the marine and offshore industries. 7500 Dm" CHEMICAL/PRODUCT TANKER. 9600 M3 TANK VOLUME. IU0 TYPE II •Newbuilding design •Conversion projects •Plan approval •Project management •Vessel survey •Construction supervision ShipTech A/S Marine Consultants Slotsmarken 17 Tel. +45 45 76 42 10 DK-2970 Horsholm Fax +45 45 76 42 20 Denmark E-mail: st@shiptech.com Circle 300 on Reader Service Card