Wavemaster eyes Asia for new orders

West Coast based Wavemaster International is turning its focus back towards the Asian region to source new orders and fuel company growth. The yard, owned by Malaysia?s Penang Shipbuilding Company, reports its busiest year in some 15 years, after having endured a downturn in business since the Asian crisis hit in 1997. This year the Henderson work force of 200 has been working to fill an order for six 36m high speed aluminium hull ferries for Singapore?s Berlian Ferries, having delivered three in October. The remaining vessels are scheduled for a January delivery. Berlian has subsequently ordered another four vessels which are scheduled for a mid-2002 delivery. Wavemaster general manager of marketing and sales Lou Pittorino said surviving the ferry industry downturn was less daunting than the Asian crisis had been for the company, which had traditionally sourced 90% of its business in this region. Inquiries from Asia had now returned to the level they were at prior to the 1997 currency crisis, he said. There was strong interest in Wavemaster?s products, which were in the 20m to 60m range and consumed less fuel than the car/passenger ferries. “Our vessels use about 500 to 600 litres an hour whereas the larger ferries use anywhere between 8 and 10,000 litres an hour and this is of big concern to operators everywhere,” Pittorino said. “We?re receiving some very good inquiries now from throughout Asia and I?m confident some of these will translate into orders. “This year has been our busiest ever with these Singapore orders.” In October, Wavemaster opened a new yard on Langkawi island in Malaysia which will position itself as a base for refit, repair and logistics support for yachts and mega yachts in the Pacific Rim. The Wavemaster-Langkawi Yacht Centre is managed by 15 staff from Western Australia and is not undertaking new builds at this time.