This month marks a milestone in the history of ship repair company Elgin Brown and Hamer (EBH) Namibia, with the much anticipated commissioning and inauguration of its newly-acquired Panamax-sized third floating dock.
Having successfully completed the pre-commissioning of the Panamax, known as ‘Namdock 3’, EBH Namibia is pleased to announce that the new dock, which arrived in Walvis Bay on the 5th of July, is now fully operational, and set to change the face of the West African ship repair industry.
“We have been waiting since 2012 to be able to announce the successful commissioning of our new floating dock. Now, having successfully overcome numerous challenges, she has been shifted to her berthing slot as proudly ‘Namdock 3’ and is ready for work,” says Hannes Uys, Chief Executive Officer of EBH Namibia.
“A total number of 421 workers worked night and day, meeting stringent deadlines to ensure that she was fully commissioned before lifting her first vessel . This was a truly great team effort,” says Uys.
The Panamax floating dock, at 195 meters in length, has a lifting capacity of 15 000 tons, substantially increasing the company’s infrastructural capacity and enhancing its ability to compete on a global scale.
Part of the DCD Marine cluster, EBH Namibia boasts three privately-owned floating docks, well-equipped on site workshops and highly skilled work force, earning a reputation as a safe, reliable and world class shipyard. The third floating dock is further proof of the company’s commitment to the success of its customers through continuous development of capacities, technical competencies and a motivated workplace, according to Uys.
“We pride ourselves not only in continuously improving our customer service offering, but also being part of a global trade network that will provide much needed job creation and revenue for Namibia,” he says.
Africa has evolved into one of the biggest potential growth markets in the world, and the shipping industry, largely driven by the oil and gas industry, is growing accordingly. The acquisition of the third dock will ease EBH Namibia’s shipyard over-capacity and ensure a more sustainable level of output. It will also cater for a broader spectrum of vessels requiring shipyard services along the west coast of Africa.
“Our order book has confirmed bookings until mid-July 2015 which is testimony to EBH Namibia not only maintaining its current market-share along the west coast of Africa, but being well on its way to becoming the preferred shipyard in Africa,” Uys concludes.
