George V Drydock News

SMS Group said it is relocating its Southampton headquarters to become the only ship repairer based within the Port of Southampton.The business will move to Western Avenue, within ABP Southampton’s footprint adjacent the King George V drydock.The move represents a strategic decision to move the business closer to its core customer base, and at the same time improve its geographical location, says Ben Rowe and Dave Chaffers, who head SMS Southampton. The location will also improve the company’s quayside presence…

A&P Southampton has drydocked three RoRo vessels from Italian shipping company - Grimaldi Group in the King George V drydock this summer. This is the first time Grimaldi has drydocked in the UK. The first ship to arrive was the 25,450 dwt the Repubblica di Amalfi. Following a successful refit, A&P were subsequently awarded the 18,427 dwt Grande Mediterraneo and 19,287 dwt Repubblica di Roma. A&P Southampton Managing Director, Mike Smith is very pleased that once again the yard’s management team and employees have demonstrated that by providing a tailor made service that meets the owner’s strict requirements in terms of programme, quality and cost, this repeat business has been won against tough international competition.

Interest in the European cruise ship repair market is currently focused on which shipyard will win the $31.3 million contract to repair the 1968-built, 70,327-grt cruiseship Queen Elizabeth II, owned by Cunard Line. There are currently three shipyards shortlisted for the work — Bremerhaven’s Lloyd Werft, Hamburg’s Blohm + Voss Repair and the U.K.’s A&P Southampton. The contract is expected to be awarded soon, with the drydocking dates scheduled for between November 12 and December 11. Now part of the Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) group, Cunard has also announced the drydocking programs for two other cruiseships in its fleet — the 1973-built…