Photo: Blohm + Voss Repair GmbH
Conversion in record time: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ “Balmoral” underwent a lengthening and total upgrade at Blohm + Voss Repair within just
over 60 days.
CONVERSION COMPETENCE
950 passengers) but rather an upgrade of
the ambitious schedules and to minimise
Apart from their experience in shipbuild-
the cabins and public facilities. Blohm +
docking times. ■
ing German yards are also renowned for
Voss Repair met the challenge well, using
their competence in conversions and re-
prefabricated hull sections in order to keep
FREDERIK NAUMANN
pairs. One of the leaders in terms of innovativeness and efficiency in this segment
is Hamburg-based Blohm + Voss Repair
1st half of
GmbH, a company of ThyssenKrupp Ma2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
merous spectacular conversions, including
Number of ships built
61
69
70
74
42
recently two cruise ship lengthenings for
Total turnover (Mio. €)
2,306
2,581
2,919
3,126
2,089
its loyal client Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. In
Export share
67.2%
53.9%
59.8%
57.5%
winter 2007/2008 the “Balmoral” former-
New contracts received
86
157
88
70
30
ly “Norwegian Crown” was completely re-
Total contracts (number)*
147
231
246
239
224
fitted and stretched with a new 30.2 me-
Total contracts (value) (Mio. €)*
7,034
11,084
13,442
15,397
15,321
rine Systems. The yard has carried out nu-
tres long hull section within just over sixty
days. In May/June 2008 a similar conversion followed onboard the “Braemar”
within an even shorter time frame. The
* At the end of the respective period. Note that data for the full year 2008 was not yet
available when the article went to press.
main objective of both conversions was
not a capacity increase (although the capacity of “Braemar” raised from 900 to
20
seatec 1/2009
Data table compiled from data facilitated by the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries
Association (VSM) and the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.