T&T Shipbuilding & Repair Strategic Plan Submitted to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster, an initiative of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) recently submitted its Strategic Plan for the development of the domestic ship repair and shipbuilding industry to the new Minister of Trade and Industry, the Honourable Stephen Cadiz and to other relevant government ministries.

It is anticipated that this strategic plan would assist the new government to help formulate its diversification plans in the upcoming national budget. Maritime development is mentioned in the Manifesto of the People’s Partnership, as one of the targeted areas for diversification of Trinidad and Tobago’s economy.

The strategic plan highlights the recent possibility of utilizing the newly built 300 metre (former ALUTRINT) deepwater dock, located in La Brea, south-western Trinidad. This dock has sufficient water depth of 12 metres capable of repairs and service to large Panamax-sized ships, adjacent to where offshore oil and gas platforms are currently being built at the Trinidad Offshore Fabricators Company (TOFCO) shipyard. Included also, are a number of recent enquiries received to date which includes the wet-docking of a 116 metre DP2 reeled-pipelay barge from Texas, United States of America and the dry-docking of a 121 metre Liquefied Gas Carrier for Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement. This goes to support the above mentioned diversification programme.

According to Wilfred de Gannes - S&R Deputy Leader, “Our country can look to become the Singapore of the west, which at present has 20 percent of the global repair and conversion market share for ocean going vessels due to their strategic geographic location.” Mr. de Gannes goes on to state “with a total of 80 licensed ship yards and the employment of some 141,000 maritime workers, Singapore’s shipyard and offshore sector today contributes some US$9.4 billion to their economy.”

To learn more about the Trinidad and Tobago Shipbuilding and Repair Cluster visit their website at http://issuu.com/shipbuildingandrepairdocuments

For press enquires please contact:
Wilfred de Gannes - S&R Deputy Leader
Trinidad and Tobago Shipbuilding & Repair Cluster
Tel: (868)753-6057
Fax: (868) 662-6326
E-mail: degstt@hotmail.com