As the 2013/2014 cruise season begins, Grand Bahama Shipyard has reported a banner 2013, with 61 vessels having made repairs at the shipyard from over 22 countries, including some 22 cruise ships.

In the cruise sector, the yard undertook major revitalization projects undertaken on the Millennium class vessels for Celebrity Cruises.  There were four projects (Infinity, Summit and Millennium and the fourth and final was the Constellation), with the yard fabricating aluminum structures to accommodate  additional cabins for deck 11 on each vessel and deck 3 on the Constellation.

The cabins where fabricated by Almaco at the yard from “flat –pack” delivered from Europe then assembled and installed as single units. The yard also supported the various other contractors engaged by Celebrity in handling some 300 containers.

Looking forward, during the first quarter of 2014, seven cruise ships are expected at the yard as are some very interesting projects from the offshore and LNG sectors and to support these opportunities the yard are increasing their “on dock” crane capabilities by adding a 40T crane to docks 2 & 3, preparing a “clean” workshop for LNG support and completion of the “North Beach” facility where a 300m quay wall has been installed in the basin area were average water depth is 18m.

Some notable visitors were the 18,588-ton DB Hercules, arriving on April 30th, Technip USA’s 46 year old pipe layer crane barge, stopped at the yard for 75 days. 45 of which were in dock, for its 5-year special survey and the remainder being at the yards upgraded “North pier” facility.  “By choosing GBSL ahead of stiff completion from the US Gulf yards Technip portrayed a positive confidence in our ability to perform such projects in a safety conscious environment” said Graham Couser, Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing.

The Bimini Superfast – a passenger / Ro-Ro ship gross tonnage 32,728, dwt 6,515 which left the yard on June 16th after docking for general examination, hydro blasting,  paint coating renewal and stern tube seal replacement.  Interior refurbishment was also carrier out while at the yard.  This vessel will be used as a ferry/casino vessel for one of the Bahamas’ resorts, and travel daily between Miami, Florida and Bimini, Bahamas.