ROCK NEWS
GIBDOCK NEWSLETTER • SUMMER 2018
Gibdock’s strategic location close to key Mediterranean trade lanes remains a compelling attraction for owners, but the yard’s strong performance in 2018 also demonstrates that its high-quality repair services are preferred across a wide variety of vessel types. The yard has a deserved reputation as the region’s ‘go to’ facility for offshore vessel work and this hard-won position has been confirmed in a series of projects for leading clients in the sector during the first part of 2018, many of them returning customers. Richard Beards, Managing Director, says: “We are seeing a similar level of offshore work in the first half of 2018 to last year, which is quite an achievement given the continued pressure in offshore shipping markets and the tough competition for work of this type. There have been some encouraging signs of late that this side of the shiprepair business is steadily improving and at Gibdock we are well placed to take advantage of these more positive trends.” Another encouraging pattern is an uptick in demand from the German
containership market, where Gibdock has similarly been able to capitalise on its reputation for delivering high quality services on schedule and on budget. Mr Beards adds: “We are receiving a lot more enquiries from the German market, and indeed from the container shipping sector generally, than we were last year, and slowly but surely these are turning into firm contracts. Gibraltar’s location allows for zero deviation and this is a big selling point for container owners, particularly as we have several major transhipment hubs nearby in Spain and Morocco. Location is continuing to be a big decision-making factor.”
NEW LEGISLATION DRIVES RETROFIT INTEREST
The tanker market is another area where Gibdock has experienced an increase in activity so far this year, while the local ferry refit and repair season has been busy and broadly in line with usual levels of work. “Overall we are pleased that the volume of work being carried out at the yard in 2018 is similar to that achieved last year,” says Mr Beards. “This reflects our reputation for quality and safety, as well as our geographical location.”
Gibdock is discussing a number of scrubber and ballast water retrofits with prospective clients. Facilities are considered ideal for this type of work.
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