06
January
Hatsan Shipyard’s Engin Aybar says that investments the yard is making today will allow it to capitalise on the next tanker upturn
By Hatsan Shipyard’s Engin Aybar’s own admission, tanker business is a little slow at the yard – but there is confidence about prospects. This is reflected in the capital investments being made, an uptick in enquiries from European owners for vessels ranging between 5,500 dwt and 14,000 dwt, and the belief in Turkish shipbuilding and repair as a byword for quality.
Last year the yard finished and delivered a 5,500 dwt stainless steel tanker newbuilding for a Turkish owner. The original contract was placed by a different owner, but was then bought out and transferred to the Hatsan facility. “The hull was half finished and had not been painted,” recalls Mr Aybar. “We took over the project and completed it on a turnkey basis. We delivered it as if the vessel were a typical newbuilding project. This included carrying out all the sea trials and harbour tests.”
In March, Hatsan sold its handysized floating dock in order to make way for a newly built one next year. The facility is looking to augment this dock with a Panamax-sized one, too.
In the interim, the main focus is conversion projects. Right now the yard is turning a dry cargo vessel into a floating power station: “It will have 24 diesel generators on it and will provide back-up power off the coast of Africa and Asia,” says Mr Aybar. But longer-term, he has little doubt that there will be a resurgence in tanker business in Turkey.
“I do believe owners are now turning their eyes to Turkey. In the ‘good old days,’ people used to say: ‘Okay, the quality in China is not good, but they are cheap.’ But today people are saying: ‘China is cheap, but the quality is not good.’
Mr Aybar says “We could be a bit more expensive than China, but Turkey is a brand name in tanker building – especially mid-size tankers. Most of the North European owners, especially Scandinavian owners, prefer Turkish-built tankers. Our reputation in tanker building will be an advantage for us against China.”
Mr Aybar sees some parallels with today’s market and 2003–4: “When the tanker market rose – if you were ready, like a surfer lying in wait – you could catch the wave. So I want to be prepared. And I want the yard’s name to be well known in this tanker market, because I believe our competitive prices, proximity to European owners, communication advantages and reputation mean that all the advantages are on our side.”