Page 56 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2022

SHIPYARD INDUSTRY / OPINIONS

How often do you consider repositioning ships
because of their special repair requirements or
the fact that there are no reliable repair facili-
ties/options in the area they trade?
Repositioning a vessel due to its repair
requirements is an option chosen often.
The prevailing economic market and
freight conditions, i.e., the vessel’s oper-
ational off-hire limitations and eliminat-
ing ballasting costs, are critical consid-
erations in exercising this option. It also
depends on the urgency of the particular
modification/repair requirements. Slot
availability is also crucial; if reliable
local facilities in the region where the
vessel is currently positioned cannot
offer a vessel repair slot, the vessel will The selection of the most
need to be repositioned. The decision on appropriate shipyard by any
whether to reposition a vessel must be a shipowner is always a com-
thoroughly weighed, collective decision, plex and multidimensional
taken jointly by technical managers who process related to a variety
will assess alternative shipyard options of determining factors.
and commercial teams, which have a
valuable understanding of the market
and chartering conditions.

Has the strategy of choosing a shipyard
changed due to the pandemic and the restric-
tive measures that followed?
The pandemic disruption was a harsh
blow for shipyards worldwide, leading
to a global decline in demand for sea
transport. The European shipyards were
hit even harder. Q1 2020 figures were sim-
ilar to those of 2019. However, a 26.5%
decrease in overall ship calls was noted
in the second quarter, shortly after the
World Health Organisation declared
the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
Imports, exports, and intra-EU maritime
trade all declined dramatically in 2020. Do you contact a shipyard directly to book a
The pandemic has entirely changed our repair or use an agent instead?
way of life, our consumption patterns and, It depends. Each company has its own
as such, vessel supply flows and global policy and practices. I would opt for a
trading patterns. In addition, Covid-19 combination of both. We have estab-
safety protocols severely affected ship- lished long-term collaborations with
yard availability and the complexity and specific shipyards and therefore have
duration of carrying out vessel repairs, an open line of communication, which
while long quarantine periods affected is based on understanding and trust.
vessel repair periods, crew changes, the In other cases, we may use an agent
easy access of owner representatives, to negotiate better terms and condi-
delivery of spare parts, supplies etc. tions with regional yards. However, the
These repercussions made vessel repair principal objective in both cases is for
a complex equation with rapidly chang- shipowners to provide a reliable, clear
ing conditions and challenges. Are those list of their requirements and expecta-
significant reasons for choosing a reliable tions and for shipyards to fulfil the work
shipyard? They definitely are! specified in the repair agreement.

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