Carl-Gustaf (Calle) Rotkirch, a 32-year maritime industry veteran, has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Ltd., effective August 1, 2008.

In this capacity, Rotkirch will oversee all operations of the shipyard, which is one of the largest cruise ship repair facilities in the world; Grand Bahama Shipyard services more than 100 cruise ships, cargo vessels, tankers, and naval vessels annually.

Managing Director David Dalgleish, who has successfully led the shipyard’s operations and growth during the last three years, will continue his day to day operation of the yard while reporting directly to Rotkirch.

“I am excited about joining the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Ltd., the leading cruise ship repair facility in the world, and look forward to working with David and the other members of this talented, successful team,” Rotkirch said.

Prior to assuming his new position at Grand Bahama Shipyard, Rotkirch spent the past three years at Finland’s Aker Yards BA Cruise and Ferries where he served in a number of executive positions, including vice president of sales.  He previously was with Kvaerner Masa Yards in Helsinki for 16 years in various shipbuilding capacities, including Project Manager for the Atlantica/Spirit cruise ship series.  His maritime industry experience also includes 13 years at Wartsila Helsinki Shipyard and Managing Director of Porsgrunn VVS A/S in Norway.

A native of Finland, Rotkirch holds a master’s in naval architecture from the Helsinki University of Technology.

Conveniently located in the Freeport Maritime Centre on the island of Grand Bahama, less than  100 miles from the Port of Miami and adjacent to many of the world’s busiest shipping routes, Grand Bahama Shipyard began its ship repair operations in September 2000.  Over the past eight years, Grand Bahama Shipyard has dramatically expanded its infrastructure and is now the shipyard of choice for many of the world’s most sophisticated cruise vessels.

The yard has two floating docks, including one of the largest in the world, capable of docking cruise ships up to 150,000 grt and cargo vessels up to 250,000 t dwt, and will receive a third dock by the end of this year. These floating docks are supported by a wide range of shoreside facilities, including workshops and warehouses, along with a modern environmental waste treatment plant.  The yard has earned a solid reputation for quality repairs on all types of vessels, including container ships, tankers, LNG carriers, RORO vessels, car carriers, bulk carriers, survey vessels, offshore vessels, naval ships and cruise ships.