Skagen shipyard Karstensens Skibsværft has established its own construction base for producing hulls in Poland, and in addition to setting up its own company, it has acquired production facilities from Vistal Offshore in Gdynia, a modern facility built in 2013.
The production facility in Poland consists of two modern buildings measuring 200 by 30 metres, and these are taken over by Karstensens as of 1st July this year for an initial three-year lease. Preparations are already in progress and there are ten engineers and superintendents already on site, the team that have since 2000 supervised the hulls built for the yard for completion in Skagen. A staff of around 200 are expected to be working at Karstensen Shipyard Poland.
‘Karstensen Shipyard Poland makes us as an even more complete supplier; from design to hull construction to equipment for delivery and of course for aftermarket service,’ said the yard’s Kent Damgaard.
Production is expected to begin immediately, starting with the hull of the Lunar Bow which is expected to be delivered to Skagen next summer and completed in January 2020.
According to the yard, by building hulls in Poland for completion at Skagen, it has successfully built up a leading position in delivering high-quality pelagic vessels, tailored to each customer’s specific needs. By becoming even more independent of external parties, the yard can continue the development and continue to set the standard for newbuilding of modern fishing vessels.
The investment in Poland will not affect shipyard production and the staff in Skagen. In fact, the clear expectation is that a greater level of control over the initial construction process will significantly increase production with higher quality and regular deliveries. With 13 ships on order order for delivery within the next two years, it is crucial to have control over these key parameters.
‘It’s good for all parties that all the pieces have fallen into place. I’m sure our investment in Poland is important to continue our growth – including here in Skagen,’commented Knud Degn Karstensen
