Western Marine to hand over two 5200DWT vessels

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Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Author / Source : NURUL AMIN, CHITTAGONG

Nov 23: With orders on the rise, global shipbuilding majors are finding it difficult to accommodate orders for small and medium vessels, which has given new starters, like Bangladesh, a golden opportunity to carve a slice of the shipbuilding pie. Taking a cue, Bangladesh-based shipbuilders, like Western Marine, are now gearing up to cut their teeth into this highly competitive market by churning out ships that are at par with global technical standards, and help earn precious foreign exchange for the country.
Westen Marine is all set to create history of sorts when two of its vessels are handed over to their German owner on November 26.
The 100-metre-long 5,200 DWT ice-class multi-purpose cargo vessels – Grona Ammersum and Grona Biessum – the largest-ever built in Bangladesh, will be handed over to German owner Grona Shipping GmbH & Co. KG, in a grand ceremony in Chittagong
Dry Dock Ltd. About 60 dignitaries from Europe, comprising members from the German embassy, German ministries and representatives of marine machinery makers, are scheduled to attend the launch.
Foreign missions, industrialists and a number of media-heads have also been invited to this landmark event.
Industries minister Dilip Barua will be the chief guest, while German ambassador Holger Michael and state secretary of Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, Martin Biesel, will be the
special guests.
The vessels were earlier tested on the Karnaphuli in July, and, later, completed successful dock and sea trials on November 14 and 15, respectively.
According to sources, Western Marine’s success lies in streamlining its operations to achieve better efficiencies.
The company's procurement department buys 80 per cent of the raw material from outside the country.
As Western Marine avails the facility of a bonded warehouse, there is no duty to pay on the equipment and the finished vessels. Their data-base system manages and monitors the warehousing facilities, and ensures that the materials coming in and going out, are taken through customs and are dealt properly. The company has adopted efficient methods of production, using mega-blocks, thereby saving time and costs.
During the testing phase, the operations department checks the condition of a ship, ensuring the navigation systems, mooring and shifting are all in order.
Their delivery protocol department then collects the necessary documents and certificates, and prepares them for handing over to the owners.