CHALKIS SHIPYARDS have completed almost 50 years of successful cooperation with its clients, the shipowners, covering their needs within minimum time and competitive cost.
Its goal is to expand its capabilities in order to accommodate and service about 240 vessels annually, serve ships of larger capacity and build small specialized ships of new technology. Mr Ashraf Bayoumi CEO CHALKIS SHIPYARDS S.A. describes in the following interview how CHALKIS SHIPYARDS can be the example to follow for the other Greek Shipyards which will make them noticeable in the coming years.
For a shipyard is vital to work in a safe, health and quality working environment. What does these words (safety, health and quality) mean to you and how does it apply in your daily life?
A Shipyard is a highly dynamic work environment, constantly active and changing, so it is critical to maintain a high level of situational awareness. For us at Chalkis Shipyards, it is vital that we work in a safe and healthy workplace and that we do our best to protect the environment.
We take action over and above our legal duty for our employees to work with the confidence that they are protected and taken care of. At the same time all our personnel support and are part of our commitment to Quality, Health & Safety feeling it is also their own responsibility to create and maintain a safe and functional work environment.
We follow the procedures of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018 standards to which we have been certified by Bureau Veritas and regularly update our policies to incorporate all new guidelines.
All documented policies and procedures are important to improve the workplace by staying focused on keeping zero-injuries safety and improv- ing the sustainability and quality of services.
A successful green transition is heavily depending on the maritime industry and the international community is currently focusing on the development of green solutions. The shipping industry is in the spotlight, with pressure building to implement greener, cleaner
initiatives for a climate friendly future. Based on this principle and following your regular standards with what tools and strategies are you walking towards 2050? Is this task easy or difficult?
Our Shipyard invests on green solutions on two sections regarding energy.
First of all, we have proceeded to an investment that regards the installation of Photovoltaic systems. Due to the suitable and large area of land owned by the yard this energy 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. Due also to legislation this will prevent vessels from using their own generators and eliminate in this way their carbon footprint.
In addition, we have trained 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 last years we have completed the installation of scrubbers in a number of vessels.
At the same time, we are already following the procedures of ISO 14001 and are ready to be certified.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge that will face the global shipbuilding industry in the coming years? Do you
think that the Greek shipyards are on a recovery path, something that will be more noticeable in the coming years?
Shipyards and boat builders were severely affected by the 2008 global financial crisis. More recently, the war in Ukraine and the disruption to the supply chain due to the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in low levels of new orders.
We believe that the biggest challenge will be the design and build- ing of ships of new technology friendly to the environment.
The shipping industry has always been a source of pride for Greeks who have the knowledge and the qualifications to run a large number of shipyards, not to mention that despite current challenges, Greek shipping represents 60% of the EU - controlled fleet and 21% of the world deadweight capacity.
Chalkis Shipyards is a company that has provided uninterrupted quality service since its establishment for the last fifty years. Especially during the last twenty-three years the company is financially secure and reliable, in an often-difficult economic environment, and is investing in new technologies. We can be the example to follow for the other Greek Shipyards which will make them notice- able in the coming years.
What are your goals for 2024 and for the next years to come? Do you think you will strengthen your position more?
Our investment plan includes in the field of repairs the increase
of our capacity in order to accommodate more vessels and also vessels of greater capacity.
In the new building sector we have already proceeded to works for new building of specialized vessels up to 100m length.
These are definitely going to strengthen our position in the Greek ship repair/shipbuilding industry.
The use of new technologies is driving shipyard production into new era. How much is the technological revolution affect- ing you and how ready are you to face it?
Our Shipyard is observing technological developments and
is always ready by gradually investing in the purchase of new technology machinery and also the recruitment of qualified human resources. Meanwhile Yard’s personnel are being trained in the use of new machinery.
The word collaboration is a key word for success of a ship- yard. Are you happy with your collaboration with shipowners, design institutions and class authorities? Are you going to continue to build deep relationships with these third parties?
Collaboration is the foundation of any workplace, essential not only to overall work success but also to build efficient teams that continue to work together even after a certain target is achieved.
We have completed almost 50 years of successful cooperation with our clients, the shipowners, covering their needs, i.e. the quality that is approved by class authorities, within minimum
time and competitive cost. As already mentioned, and taking into consideration our future plans, we consider all participants a team with the same target and it is one of our priorities to continue and strengthen our relationships with third parties.
The transition towards digitalization is moving fast in the shipbuilding industry. Do you believe that Chalkis Shipyard is moving towards the integration of smart technologies and therefore towards digital transformation?
At Chalkis Shipyards we are already applying new technologies and are using digitalization in programs connected to design for repairs and new constructions and CRM platforms. We are implementing 3D model programs with the relevant CNC equipment in which we have invested and continue to invest following developments and market needs.
Establishing further your presence in Greece do you see plenty of opportunities and future growth in the years to come? Do you expect a market upturn that will affect Greek shipyards industry?
The opportunities for shipbuilding in Greece are related to the recent developments, legislation for new technology vessels and modification to green energy. These will lead to a market upturn and will certainly affect Greek shipping industry.
* CEO, Chalkis Shipyards S.A.