Wilson Sons Inaugurates Second Shipyard in Guarujá
The Wilson Sons Group is set to inaugurate the second Wilson Sons Shipyards unit in Guarujá (Brazil) next Thursday, April 18th. As a result of a $60 million (USD) investment, the shipyard, which builds tugboats and offshore support vessels, is expected to double its production capacity and employ 600 workers at its peak.
The shipyard, which has been named Guarujá II, is equipped with a dry dock which is 26 meters in width and 135 meters in length. These dimensions will allow for the construction of a wide range of larger vessels with higher specifications, amongst which are PSVS (oil platform supply), AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply), PLSVS (Pipelaying and Submarine Cable Supply Vessels), ROVSV (Remotely Operated Vehicle Supply Vessels) and ORSV (Oil Recovery Supply Vessel).
“Our production capacity at Guarujá II will be 5,500 tons/year. This means that the installations can undertake the annual production of approximately four offshore support vessels and up to six tugboats, as well as a sophisticated vessel for third parties,” said Arnaldo Calbucci, COO of Shipyards, Tugboats, Offshore and Agency.
The first vessel to be built at Guarujá II, a PSV 4,500 series, is due to be delivered to Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore in June. The company is also building a Remotely Operated Vehicle Support Vessel (ROVSV), ordered by Fugro Brasil, and delivery is expected to take place by mid-2014.
“In total, we will have built four PSVs and four tugboats before the end of 2013. Over $200 million (USD) [has been] invested in these new vessels” Calbucci said.
As well as the new shipbuilding capacity to meet the needs of the naval and offshore market, the new dry dock will allow for vessel repairs and dry docking. “There are over 400 offshore vessels and 200 tugboats in Brazil. Maintenance and docking services are currently undergoing a growth cycle. We will be in a position to attend our own fleet and that of others,” explained Wilson Sons Shipyards' executive director, Adalberto Souza.