GBSL to Drydock 23 Crowley Vessels
One of the largest exclusive ship repair fleet agreements in Caribbean history, worth more than $10 million, signed between GBSL and Crowley which will extend to mid – 2017.
Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited (GBSL), the ship repair and refurbishment yard in Freeport Grand Bahama, Bahamas has signed a ship repair fleet agreement with Crowley Maritime Corporation for a maintenance program for 23 vessels over the next 12 months. The agreement, worth more than $10 million, will see GBSL dock and upgrade these vessels exclusively at the shipyard.
Graham Couser, SVP of GBSL, said “[The agreement] will allow GBSY to work with Crowley as partners to prepare, plan and collaborate in advance of each docking to maximize efficiency and success. Not only is Crowley getting excellent value through advance commitment, but by removing the time-consuming individual tendering process for each ship, we can provide priority dock space, superior scope planning, and leading turnaround times.”
“GBSL’s variety of facilities and excellent track record positions them well to be a long-term partner in ensuring our fleet’s stringent maintenance needs are met for the foreseeable future,” said Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services. “The benefits of an exclusive fleet agreement with a single yard are clear. Rolling over experience from one vessel to the next will create exponential rewards and efficiencies over reselecting a Yard each time. Also, the doubts and uncertainties that arise from individual bids are eradicated. It’s a win-win situation.”
GBSL’s Chief Executive Officer, Carl-Gustav Rotkirch disclosed that throughout 2015, Crowley has committed the following units: one oil product tanker, 12 product barges and 10 tugs from the company’s articulated tug-barge (ATB) fleet for regular dry dock maintenance and upgrade work at GBSL.
The agreement was signed in December 2014 and is effective immediately, with the first vessel arriving at GBSL in January 2015.
