Continuing on the momentum gained in the first half of the year, Bahrain-based Asry (Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Company) has ended the third quarter of 2005 on a high note raking in an impressive increase in business and sales as opposed to the figures achieved in 2004.

Confirmed bookings were again up with an increase of some 24 per cent on the previous quarter,” says a spokesman. “In all some 32 vessels were in the yard for repairs and refurbishment, bringing this year’s total so far to 130 vessels, up some 20 per cent on the same period last year. All indications are that this year’s final year-end result will be even better than last year’s record results, and with its new slipway to be fully operational by 2007, the prospects look excellent for the yard in the years to come.” He made the remarks in November 2005.
The spokesman elaborates: “Of the vessels repaired to-date, nearly 27 per cent were in the large tanker class and dock occupancy rates remained high throughout the quarter with the graving dock (dry dock) at over 95 per cent and the two floating docks also achieving the same level of business. Similarly there has been a high demand from international dredging companies for repairs with as many as seven dredgers being repaired during the last quarter alone, from owners in Bahrain, Ukraine, Belgium and Holland. On the ship building side, the new contract for KOTC is proceeding well and already there are a number of owners enquiring about further new buildings at the yard.
“During the third quarter over a hundred specifications were received from owners around the world with a contract award success rate of 28 per cent, again up on the previous quarter.
“As is the norm with Asry, there was the usual mix of vessels across the board in for repairs, including offshore drill rigs, DSVs (diving support vessels), naval vessels, container ships, barges, dredgers, tankers, Ro/Ros and tugs, illustrating the width of expertise the yard has in being able to address the repair and refurbishment necessities of all classes of vessels, which trade in the Gulf.
“A few of the larger vessels that were repaired at the yard up until the third quarter include: the Venus Glory 299,089 dwt from Vela International Marine Limited; Iran Hormoz 299,261 dwt from National Iranian Tanker Company; A1 Funtas 294,739 dwt from Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; Romea Champion 154,578 dwt from Unicom Management Services; Johar 86,803 dwt from Pakistan National Shipping Corporation; the Pacific Senator 45,696 from Reederei F Laeisz; and China Sea 49,279 from Tanker Pacific Management as well as two LPG carriers (the Berge Summit 50,748 dwt from Bergesen DY ASA and the Maharshi Vyas 18,165 dwt from Varun Shipping Company Limited)
“Also repaired were the Yasa Aysen 52,434 dwt from Yasa Shipping Industry and Trading; Millennium IV 34,196 dwt from Sekur Holdings; the Al Mansour 72,562 dwt from Torvald Klaveness and Company; and the Winter 29,094 dwt from Good Faith Shipping Company.
“The demand for blasting and painting has continued to remain high during the third quarter of 2005 with over half a million square metres of quality painting being undertaken. To-date the yard has completed over 1.6 million sq m of painting, whilst the demand for steel work also remains high with some 4,423 tonnes completed. Boiler repairs have also been busy with a further 12 undertaken during the last quarter, giving a year to-date total of 47, which is again up on last year.