Portuguese shipyard Navalrocha reports that 2022 to date has been its busiest period since 2017, with success in a number of markets including cruise ships and passenger ferries, general cargo vessels, tugs, tankers and chemical carriers. The yard has also docked a number of naval vessels so far this year.
Due to high levels of demand Navalrocha has handled some repair projects alongside quays adjacent to its drydocks in Lisbon, to manage periods of peak activity, while despatching specialist engineering teams to support neighbouring shipyards, further increasing work volumes.
The return of more cruise ships has been one of the more positive features, as demand in this sector revives post pandemic. This February new client Seaventy docked the Evora sight-seeing cruise vessel for a short stay, re-classification project involving painting and mechanical upgrades, lasting two weeks. This was shortly followed by a major refit involving Seadream I, a yacht-style cruise ship operated by SeaDream Yacht Club. The 35-day project mirrored work to sister vessel Seadream II which Navalrocha delivered in the summer of 2021, involving considerable mechanical, piping, steel, blasting and painting world along with widespread interior refurbishment.
Towards the end of the summer this year Navalrocha carried out repair work to the Seaventure expedition cruise ship, which boasts the highest ice class awarded to passenger vessels, supporting cruises to Antarctica.
In the tanker sector, the yard welcomed MM Marine’s Symi and Kithnos, both ocean-going product tankers, for ballast water treatment system (BWTS) installation, combined with general repairs, including blasting, painting, piping and mechanical work. Another notable tanker project involved the Italian-flagged Bice Amoretti oil/chemical tanker, which docked for a 16-day stay, involving mechanical and propulsion work, a main engine overhaul and BWTS installation.
Workboats have also been a significant element of work at the yard. Reboport returned with the Castelo de Sines tug for a broad package of repairsand extensive blasting. This followed Reboport’s previous bookings, including the ocean-going tug, Castelo de Sao Jorge, and the harbour tug, Poseidon. Another local tug operator Rebonave also docked the Montevil for extensive steel work as well an auxiliary engine overhaul, ahead of the arrival of sister vessel Montemuro.
Navalrocha commercial director Sergio Rodrigues says the yard will soon announce news of further new client wins, after securing a contract with a leading Dutch dredging company Jan de Nul involving significant renewal work across a series of vessels. This will include BWTS installation on the split hopper barge Tiger as well as class survey and extensive steel repairs to Le Guerrier, as well as an alongside project involving De Bouganiville, which will require steel, piping, mechanical and electrical work.
“Our yard continues to look for expansion in key growth markets including chemical tankers and LPG carriers,” adds Rodrigues. “Both areas hold major potential due to our strategic location, close the industrial port hub of Sines, which has an ever-growing global profile. We are also well positioned for vessels traveling to ports further north, including Aveiro and Viana de Castelo.”
Several other advantages are highlighted by Rodrigues. He concludes: “We can provide faster and more cost-effective solutions to ship operators looking to avoid the congested Strait of Gibraltar or Mediterranean. Furthermore, the scale of our operation places us at an operational advantage, with three easy-to-manage drydocks. This ensures every project receives priority treatment from a 70-strong workforce and a cluster of world-class subcontractors located on site.”
