VIGOR shipyard in Portland is looking forward to a busy 2023 schedule.

The company already has four ships thus far committed to drydocks in 2023, including two from Princess, one from Holland America and another from Norwegian, according to the 2023 Drydock and Refurbishment Report by Cruise Industry News.

“Two are relatively long drydocks, and one of them goes to three weeks,” said Brian Akin, director of sales, energy/infrastructure.

“Some of the ships had been out of service and the owners recognize they want to incorporate new technology and new mechanical systems.”

The yard has reservations in 2024, 2025 and 2026, most of which are verbal commitments that Akin turns into commitment letters, guaranteeing dates to cruise customers, balancing the yard’s work with the U.S. Navy.

VIGOR had a very busy 2022 as well with six cruise ship drydocks at its Portland facility, including a late addition to host the Carnival Miracle for just under four weeks for a drydock ending in November.

“We had the Crown Princess here right before the Miracle showed up; there was a lot of planning and scheduling for the project,” said Akin.

VIGOR handled maintenance items for Carnival including a full hull coating, as well as work to the stabilizers and bow thrusters, plus technical work below the waterline, while supporting the significant set of hotel updates being done by outside contractors. According to Akin, the yard coordinated the logistics for 450 to 500 supply containers for the project.

Other guests in 2022 included the Caribbean Princess, the Grand Princess, the Westerdam and the Celebrity Eclipse. With an air draft restriction on the river to VIGOR, the yard used lasers to measure heights at low tide in real time to make sure the Eclipse didn’t make contact.