Asry expands

The Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry), in Bahrain, is going ahead with a $15 million expansion, entailing the construction of three new berths, each 140 metres long, and will greatly enhance the yard?s capability in repairing ships of all kinds.

The expansion means that Asry would be able to accommodate many more smaller and medium-sized vessels, leaving larger berths for super-tankers and larger ships. The decision is significant since it comes at a time when the shipbuilding industry all over the world is facing stiff competition in the face of cheaper facilities being made available in the Far East. The project will result in employing and training more than 200 local workers in various technical and administrative positions.

The shipyard has performed well during the first quarter of 2005 with 43 vessels docked for repairs and refurbishment, up some 20% on the same period last year. Sales have registered an increase of 25% during the same period, while the level of enquiries remained high during the period with forward orders looking healthy with a number of owners signing agreements for the second half of the year.

Demand for blasting and painting has been constant during the first quarter with just under 500,000 square metres of jobs completed, also some 100,000 square metres of blasting were undertaken. A total of 16 boiler repairs were completed, drawing on the yard’s full range of facilities to complete the work on schedule.