Greece's Chalkis Shipyards reached major milestones in 2023, repairing close to 100 vessels, many of which belong to new foreign customers. The shipyard plans to become greener by 2024, expand its ability to handle larger vessels, and get ready to produce specialized vessels up to 100 meters in length in the new building scene.

This interview with CEO Ashraf Bayoumi explores Chalkis Shipyards' remarkable achievements, their strategic plans for 2024, ongoing projects, and their insightful perspective on the current state of the maritime market.

Can you provide us with an overview about Chalkis Shipyards? The capacity throughout the year 2023?
Chalkis Shipyards is a privately-owned company conveniently positioned in Chalkis, mainland Greece. We are certified by Bureau Veritas to ISO-9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 and our facilities, which include two floating docks, shore and mobile cranes and fully-equipped repair shops, operate under the ISPS code.

Our floating docks can accommodate vessels up to 62.000DWT and Bmax-32.26m, while at our fully equipped berths of more than 1.200m length supramax and aframax vessels of max draft=6.3m can carry out all type of repair works.

We are among the top shipyards in the Mediterranean with a history of 50 years unceasing service to our customers and delivering their vessels on schedule and according to budget. Our services cover a wide range of dry-docking jobs, whether scheduled or ad hoc to address specific repair needs. Chalkis Shipyards stands out for its reliability, flexibility and experience – and the fact that we have the ability to immediately offer solutions to any problem that arises.

Our clients’ confidence and reputation have led us over the last three years to a growing turnover with high performance in terms of revenue and profitability. Almost 100 vessels have completed their repairs in our Shipyard in 2023, among which new clients from other countries beyond Greece. In addition, we have prefabricated and installed more than 30 BWTS on vessels during 2023.

What approaches and plans do you have in store for the year 2024?
For 2024, we are focusing on expanding to other activities, and in addition, we are carefully examining tools and strategies in order to eliminate our carbon footprint as a shipyard.

We have already proceeded to an investment that regards the installation of Photovoltaic systems and in this way, we will be able to cover not only the shipyard needs for energy but also the needs of the vessels which are either berthed or docked at our premises. In addition, we continue to train our personnel and keep investing in skilled workforce who can install green energy systems like scrubbers and new technology propulsion systems (combustible energy) on vessels.

In the field of repairs we are planning to  increase our capacity in order to accommodate more vessels and also vessels of greater capacity. In the new building sector, we have already proceeded to infrastructure works for new building of specialized vessels up to 100m length.

Could you share details about some of the ongoing projects at the shipyards?
At the moment we are accommodating more than 10 vessels simultaneously with usual repair works like drydocking, steel, machinery and piping works.

At the same time, we are carrying out modification of BWTS on three of these vessels and we are modifying and installing new Exhaust Gas Economizer on another one.

What is your perspective on the current state of the maritime market?
We believe that since the international community is focusing on the development of green solutions, there will be a market upturn regarding the design, modification and new building of ships of new technology friendly to the environment.

Are there any upcoming events, such as Posidonia, in which Chalkis Shipyards will be participating?
Posidonia is clearly the largest shipping exhibition and the greatest maritime event in the world. Continuing its dynamic presence at Posidonia exhibition, our Shipyard will participate once more in this event that brings together thousands of people from the maritime sector throughout the world.

Further to our first participation at Expomaritt in Istanbul, we look forward to meeting hundreds of clients, subcontractors, suppliers, students, friends and potential clients and exchange views on the maritime sector and our cooperation opportunities.

Robban Assafina, Issue 89, Jan./ Feb. 2024, Maritime Host, pg. 76

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	Issue 89 of Robban Assafina (Jan./ Feb. 2024)