Blohm + Voss to Open Refit Facility for Megayachts
Blohm+Voss has announced that it has won the tender for the set-up of a new maintenance and refit facility for megayachts in La Ciotat, in the South of France. The company will partner with “La Ciotat Shipyards” (managed by SEMIDEP-Ciotat), the local company in charge of the site development which is providing a large dry-dock and neighboring workshop premises embedded within the existing shipyard. Blohm+Voss will utilize this new facility in the heart of the Mediterranean to maintain and service megayachts over 80 meters in length. Operation is planned to start in November 2016.
Wärtsilä, CSIC and MHI in Joint Venture
Wärtsilä, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) are establishing a joint venture to manufacture large, low-speed marine engines in China. CSIC will hold 50% of the joint venture, Wärtsilä 27% and Mitsubishi 23%. The investment will total around 75 million euros, spread over several years. Production is scheduled to start during the fourth quarter of 2008. The joint venture will be called Qingdao Qiyao Wärtsilä MHI Linshan Marine Diesel Co Ltd (QMD). The start-up of the joint venture is subject to final approvals, which are expected to be received by the end of October 2006. The Chinese shipbuilding industry is growing rapidly and currently requires more engines than can be manufactured locally.