One of the largest exclusive ship repair fleet agreements in Caribbean history, worth over $10 million, has been signed between the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) and Crowley which will extend through 2017. GBS, the ship repair and refurbishment yard in Freeport, has signed a ship repair fleet agreement with Crowley Maritime Corporation for an extensive maintenance program for twenty three vessels over the next twelve months. The agreement, worth more than $10 million, will see GBS dock and upgrade these vessels exclusively at the shipyard.
Graham Couser, senior vice president of GBS, said "The agreement will allow GBS to work with Crowley as partners to prepare, plan and collaborate in advance of each docking to maximize efficiency and success. Not only is Crowley getting excellent value through advance commitment, but by removing the time consuming individual tendering process for each ship, we can provide priority dock space, superior scope planning, and leading turnaround times."
"Grand Bahama Shipyard's variety of facilities and excellent track record positions them well to be a long-term partner in ensuring our fleet's stringent maintenance needs are met for the foreseeable future," said Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, petroleum services. "The benefits of an exclusive fleet agreement with a single yard are clear. Rolling over experience from one vessel to the next will create exponential rewards and efficiencies over reselecting a yard each time. Also, the doubts and uncertainties that arise from individual bids are eradicated. It's a win-win situation."
GBS's Chief Executive Officer Carl-Gustav Rotkirch disclosed that throughout 2015, Crowley has committed the following units: one oil product tanker, 12 product barges and 10 tugs from the company's articulated tug-barge (ATB) fleet for regular dry dock maintenance and upgrade work at GBS. Rotkirch pointed out that the agreement was signed in December 2014 and is effective immediately, with the first vessel having arrived at GBS this past January.
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