Feature 1 | MEDITERRANEAN AND BLACK SEA Besiktas aims for top spot


Further investment is planned at Turkey’s Besiktas Shipyard as it seeks to secure a market-leading position.


second busiest yard in terms of repair activity in Turkey, handling 110 repair projects in 2011. “We aim to be number one within two years,” says managing director, Yavuz Kalavan. Highlights of the past year have included


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work on Leiv Eriksson drilling rig, one of the biggest of its type in the world. In addition Besiktas Shipyard has handled an extensively fire-damaged bulk carrier, the 27,000dwt Sao Jose, for a Greek owner, which involved rebuilding and replacing the accommodation and engine room areas, and undertaking work to the vessel’s hatch covers, cranes, ballast tanks and piping systems. Te yard also carried out extensive repairs to a 30,000dwt bulker, Erk, which suffered major collision damage off the coast of Argentina. Tis involved 130tonnes of steel work, including the construction of a new bow and forecastle, which was completed in just 21 days. Besiktas Shipyard has carried out more than 440 hatch cover repairs and over


Turkey’s Besiktas Shipyard repaired 110 vessels last year.


10,000m of cellguide repairs during last year. It has a large open space of 18,000m2 equipped with two 50tonnes gantry cranes, making it well-suited for such work. One of Besiktas’ biggest customers is


the Italian owner, Grimaldi, which docked six vessels in 2011. This included the ro-ro vessel Fides, which went through an extensive underwater silicone paint job. Despite the uncertain market conditions,


Besiktas is investing to expand and enhance its repair capabilities. Te company has just bought a new Panamax floating dock and so will be operating three Panamax sized docks


esiktas Shipyard in Yalova, which entered the shiprepair market in 2009, claims to already be the


by the end of this year. It is also extending its repair berth from 1200m to 1900m over the coming months and the new areas will be equipped with four additional jib cranes and two tower cranes. Other investments made by the company include a new mechanical workshop which has recently opened on the Yalova site. Kalkavan is upbeat about prospects,


both for the yard and the Turkish shiprepair industry overall. He says: “Turkish shipyards are generally speaking increasing their skills and international reputation, and have a high occupancy level, as Turkey is the most competitive repair centre serving the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.” He points out, however, that high oil


prices represent a challenge for Turkish yards. “Ships cannot afford to deviate to Turkey if they are more than six days sailing away, unless they have big repair works,” Kalkavan suggests. “Turkish yards also have to improve their management and operational standards if they are to compete for more sophisticated repair and conversion projects.” SRCT


Marseilles seeks to raise repair profile


When its large Drydock 10 is back in service, Marseilles aims to be a major player, particularly in cruise ship conversions and repairs.


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consortium, comprising CNM, STX France, San Giorgio del Porto (SGdP) and T. Mariotti,


is in exclusive talks with the port of Marseille about a long term concession to operate its Drydock 10 and quay No. 190. It is expected that a final contract between the port authority and the consortium will be concluded in May this year. The Marseille port authority will


invest around €22 million (US$28.9 million) in the construction of a new dock gate, the renovation of the pumping station and also the power and fresh


water supply systems. A specific tender for the dock gate will be launched this summer, with a provision that it has to be built by the end of 2014. In return for this investment by the port authority, the operator will pay annual rental fees and will have to guarantee a minimum turnover. It is further expected that the consortium will promise to invest at least €3 million (US$3.94 million) in the drydock’s superstructure. A spokeswoman for the port authority


says: “We want to be a major player in cruise ship repair, as most of the region’s cruise ships use the port’s cruise facilities


to serve the French market. Having shiprepair and operating facilities in the same port is a real opportunity for cruise operators to save time and to rationalise their logistics operations.” The


consortium has plenty of


experience, which should be a valuable asset


to Marseille. Mariotti, SGdP


and STX France are well-established specialists in vessel repair and conversion, while CNM, which started to operate docks 8 and 9 in Marseilles last year, has already boosted the port’s shiprepair activity in the passenger ship sector, including both cruise liners


Shiprepair and Conversion Technology 2nd Quarter 2012


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