Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/835410
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 JUNE 2017 IV Logistics & Shipping What attracts Palumbo's business to Malta? Palumbo Malta Shipyard is located in the heart of the Mediterranean close to the main shipping routes and Owners/ managers/charterers have the possibility to avoid extra expenses due to deviations from their trade routes. The Island provides a lovely climate for maritime operations and the attractive tax regime, with its benefit of tax refunds, is the right incentive to attract more business. The strategic position, the high quality standards and competence of the workforce, efficiency and respect to deadlines promised, the good economic rates offered, and the facility offering a ho- listic and synergized approach, are driving Palumbo Malta Shipyards to be one of the most competitive facilities in Europe. What is the most important thing that you reckon MaltaToday's readers should know about Palumbo Shipyard? Palumbo took over the Malta based ship- yard, in 2010 and since then never looked back. After seven years of hard work and dedication, Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd has obtained very significant results in the maritime industry, tackled over 1300 vessels so far, dedicating the best possible energy to all projects irrespective of the extends, and succeeded in recovering the perception and now being consider as one of the best yards worldwide. The planned development of the yard goes in parallel with the notion of the group to always better itself to accommodate the needs of the clients and according to the requirements of the much volatile shipping market. The environment and the local surrounding communities are fundamen- tal and well given consideration in for the Shipyard's vision. Can you tell us a bit more about the services you provide? Palumbo Malta Shipyard can boast an excellent staff ready to accommodate any of the customers' requests, for a quick unforeseen repair (up to 20% of the yard's work is unplanned) to a long-planned dry- docking and complete overhaul or refit for all kind of floating vessels and yachts. The yard comprises: four graving docks ranging from 98 x 35 metres up to 360 x 60 metres, a total extension of one kilometre of berthing along with adequate draft. Around the graving docks, Palumbo has a huge range of wharf cranes and equip- ment, along with extensive warehousing with a Free Zone area, all the services that a floating vessel can require, together with trades' workshops particularly it's proud to include one of the largest engineering workshops in Europe fully equipped with a huge range of machinery. Palumbo has extensive knowledge and experience across the range, including that on Petroleum Product Tankers, LPG/C and LNG vessels, FSRUs, FSUs, FPSOs, etc... Good to highlight that the yard has achieved an accreditation from GTT the experts in LNG and allowing the yard to be able to render services to LNG vessels particularly the involved insulation. The potentials and results from executed jobs on Cruise liners have elevated the yard to such extend that was ranked 3rd world- wide in such sector. The yard capabilities encompass all aspects of conversion, refit, dry-docking and other afloat repair works being it in the yard or even beyond our shores. Furthermore operating also a dedicated super yacht facility, Palumbo Malta Superyact Ltd Yard has a unique set-up within the Grand Harbour of Malta and includes an area of more than 45,000 square meters, a covered 140 meters dock, a 160 meters long graving dock, more than 400 meters of quay, for along- side afloat repairs which is serviced with shore services, workshops, storage facili- ties and offices, together with specific entertaining areas for the crew during the repair period. Do you see any challenges for your business in the future? In our sector, which is substantially volatile, the competition is very high and the most challenging action is to maintain always high quality standards. In turbulent and unpredictable times for shipping, the yard recognises the challenges faced by its customers, and goes out of its way to sup- port them with flexible, safe, high-quality and cost-effective services. Furthermore the yard will be anticipating the niche sectors that eventually will be flourishing. Are you planning to enhance your services? If yes, how will you do it? The hard work of the last 7 years sets completely our vision. In every business the driving force is the client and in our future dreams there is the vision of creat- ing an oasis in which our clients and their vessels are totally cuddled and cared for. The prospective is to enhance the poten- tial of the Maltese facility: operate with the highest standard on the market and being completely integrated in the island's set up, further supporting our client to live and taste and enjoy this absolutely unique and stunning island as we do. Palumbo Malta Shipyard: 1,300 vessels serviced and counting MaltaToday tries to understand what makes the shipyard tick and what plans the company has for its operation