The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Shipyard was among nearly 900 exhibitors at the 2015 Cruise Shipping Miami Conference at the Miami Beach Convention Centre this week, promoting its facility and the Bahamas as the leading ship repair destination in the region.

This year, the shipyard is projecting to earn around $150m – an $8m increase over 2014. The event is a major opportunity for executives to promote the yard and their services.

The four-day conference, which started on Tuesday, brings global cruise industry partners – including major cruise lines, suppliers and travel businesses together every year to network and market their products and services, as well as discuss the state of the industry.

CEO Carl Gustaf Rotkirch said their presence at such a “big event” is vital to maintaining important relations with clients, vendors and cruise industry leaders.

The company, which has been attending the conference for 15 years, showcased Bahamian culture, hosting a reception with Bahamian food and a Junkanoo “rush-out”.

“This event is a big one for the whole cruise industry and it gives us the possibility to meet clients and vendors,” Mr Rotkirch said. “Everybody knows the shipyard quite well, and what we can do, and it is important to renew our relations with stakeholders.”

While the long-term business outcome is looking good, Mr Rotkirch believes that potential competition may come if Cuba is completely opened up for American travel.

However, Giora Israel, vice president of port destination development for Carnival Corporation, which is a joint venture partner in the Shipyard, said the company is in competition with shipyards all around the world, and is still the busiest.

He noted that Cuba is already open to a lot of travel today and most companies in the world are not restricted from going there. The shipyard’s reputation for quality work, equipment, and support, he said, is well recognised.

Rueben Byrd, chief operating officer for the Grand Bahama Shipyard, said this year they will focus on thrusters and propulsion units.

“One of the things we have done in Freeport and continue to do is digging four pits to drop thrusters in, especially for offshore vessels, but also to be utilised by the cruise industry in emergency situations,” he said.

He said this will allow the shipyard to perform quick in-water repairs and get clients back in business in a short time and will help with their plans to expand a new offshore business. “We have some government challenges we need to face and work through.”

Mr Bryd said the outlook for 2015 is promising. “We are doing well and we are projecting somewhere around $150m, compared to $142m last year,” he said.

The shipyard provides superior service and has an excellent safety record, according to Mr Byrd.

Robert Graham Couser, senior vice president of sales and marketing and project development, said the cruise industry is about 40 per cent of the shipyard’s business.

He said the conference is a good forum to meet major players and the company plans to go after projects in the United Kingdom, northern Europe, and the Middle East.