FREEPORT, Bahamas -- The departure of the Millennium on May 9th, closed the 2011-2012 Cruise Season at the Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited (GBSL). “This season can be considered extremely successful,” commented Graham Couser, VP for Sales and Marketing at the yard. “The season traditionally spans September through May, and during this period we have docked 16 Cruise ships.”

“This season we have performed a diverse range of tasks, from pre-fabrication and installation of aluminum blocks to contain cabins for Celebrity, Pod type propulsion unit replacement projects for RCCL, to Laundry machinery change-out projects for Carnival along with the usual general repair and maintenance works.”

Major assignments at the yard were the “revitalization projects” undertaken on the Millennium class vessels (Infinity, Summit and Millennium). These projects opened a further chapter for the Shipyard by fabricating aluminum structures for each vessel to accommodate an additional 60 cabins. The cabins were fabricated by Almaco in Europe then delivered to the yard in “flat-pack” then assembled and installed as completely outfitted cabins with balconies. The yard also supported the various other contractors engaged by Celebrity to build new or refurbish bars, restaurants and public spaces by handling some 300 containers.

The ‘non-cruise’ season has started satisfactorily, “In the current financial state of the industry, we here at GBSL are fortunate to be in a position to report that our docks have been full since the beginning of May,” Couser continued. He went on to note some significant projects secured by the yard are the Aframax tanker Yare operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA on which some 500 tons of steel will be replaced and will keep the yard busy until September.

The fully cellular container ship Buenos Aires Express, which suffered an engine room fire is expected to be completed by early July, the yard’s involvement being intensive cleaning of the smoke affected compartments and supporting the Owners contractors who were engaged for required machinery and electrical overhauls.

GBSL is also delighted to announce the securing of a contract with German Managers Claus-Peter Offen, for the docking, survey and maintenance programs for six container ships starting with the Cap Portland which is currently in dock, followed by Cap Palmerston, Cap Pasley, Cap Patton, Cap Palliser and finally the Cap Preston which will be renamed Tamanaco prior to departure from the yard in December. The Grand Legacy, a car carrier, operated by Cido Shipping HK Limited which sustained shell damage and has berthed at the yard for emergency repairs. This vessel is expected to be at GBSL for approximately four days during which 3.3 tons of steel will be replaced.

Whilst appreciative and concerned about the financial turmoil affecting the industry, Couser remains optimistic, “The summer months are consistently slower for the yard in general, whilst we continue to see the traditional drop off in Cruise, Tanker and Container vessels visiting the yard, the projects previously mentioned supported by preparations for the next Cruise season, where we look forward to welcoming 17 cruise ships, support our optimism for continued success.”

Located on Grand Bahama Island in the Freeport Maritime Centre, 73 miles east of Florida, Grand Bahama Shipyard is the biggest ship repair company in the region. With 3 floating docks the yard feature all the capabilities and resources for dry-docking, repairs, upgrades and conversions of ships, as well as the ability to fabricate marine structures. GB Shipyard is now also ready to take on fabrication projects, especially for offshore industry. Learn more at www.gbshipyard.com