Welcome to Spain Week!

According to the data provided by Sea Europe for the first half of 2020, in terms of orderbook, the important role that Spanish shipyards play in the European market is clearly reflected. And likewise, in terms of the number of vessels completed, the Spanish shipbuilding sector is one of those leading the market, rivaled by only one other distinguished member.

Such importance is due, in addition to the already well-known and historical tradition of navigation and construction, to the updates and adaptations of the Spanish naval sector to the different scenarios that have arisen in recent decades. While this leading position is the result of multiple factors, there are some elements that clearly stand out and position the sector among the most prominent builders and repairers on the international market. Undoubtedly, these include the specialisation and knowledge of the trade, together with the high qualification of the professionals involved and the consistency of a complete value chain, which covers each one of the sub-activities that are represented in the production, repair, and retrofitting of whatever vessel available.

Although the first thing that comes to our minds when we talk about vessels are the shipyards, nowadays the sector is also well known for the ancillary industries. Whether in areas such as financing, engineering, electricity, electronics, propulsion, structure, supply, qualification, classification societies, technology centres, brokers, etc., everything that is needed is represented in each of the country’s construction regions at the forefront levels similar to what can be found anywhere else on the planet.

Oscar Gomez, Managing Director of Asociacion Cluster del Naval Gallego (ACLUNAGA)

Recent Vessel Reviews:

• Spanish-built oil spill response boats to serve Panama Canal
• Supply – Royal Australian Navy’s newest Spanish-built fleet replenishment ship
• LS-Elara & LS-Cilene – Spanish Red Cross to operate rescue boat pair
• Bustelo Pavon & Perez Verdu – New training vessels delivered to Spanish Navy
• Sunderøy – Prestfjord’s newest Spanish-built vessel takes on extreme fishing conditions off Northern Norway
• Lady Comeau III – New Spanish-built 50-metre freezer scalloper for Nova Scotia seafood company

Features and Opinion:

FEATURE | Adding value in shipbuilding: how Spain leads the way

– “While the Spanish shipbuilding sector’s leading position in Europe is the result of multiple factors, there are some elements that clearly stand out and position the sector among the most prominent builders and repairers on the international scene.”

– by Oscar Gomez, Managing Director of ACLUNAGA, an association of shipbuilders based in Spain’s Galicia region

FEATURE | Agregando valor en la construcción naval: ejemplo de España

– “Si bien Europa es un referente en la construcción naval, en las últimas décadas la situación del sector ha variado notablemente con la irrupción de los países del sureste asiático, y de Europa del Este, que se han consolidado como los grandes constructores de buques de tipo estándar y fabricantes de numerosos componentes para el sector.”

– by Oscar Gomez, Managing Director of ACLUNAGA, an association of shipbuilders based in Spain’s Galicia region

News and Gear:

• One missing after seiner capsizes off Santander, Spain
• Spain sets goal of 3GW offshore wind capacity by 2030
• GEAR | Spanish Navy taps local firm for ship engine maintenance
• Royal Australian Navy’s second Supply-class AOR completes delivery voyage
• Spanish maritime rescue agency to invest €8.3 million in new response vessel
• Spain’s Trasmapi acquires ex-Condor Ferries catamaran
• Spain’s FRS Iberia acquires catamaran ferry from Japanese operator
• International cruise sailings resume at Port of Barcelona
• New 48m yacht support vessel boasts increased capacity and fuel efficiency
• Edda Wind’s newest CSOV launched in Spain
• Royal Australian Navy’s second Supply-class AOR sails on delivery voyage
• Turkish builder delivers third new tug to Spain’s Remolques Gijonenses
• Spanish submarine Isaac Peral floated out
• Spanish Tax Agency takes delivery of OPV
• Balearia’s newest LNG-powered ferry enters service

Recent Important Features:

COLUMN | Quick Updates: BP, Equinor, Edda, Wilhelmsen, Hornbeck, MAGE and Sevnor [Offshore Accounts]

– “The Spanish-built ships are part of the new generation of DP wind farm maintenance vessels with 23 metres length heave-compensated ‘walk-to-work’ gangways, what the builders described as ‘cutting edge 3D compensated’ cranes, and crewboat landing systems with bunkering facilities.”

– by Hieronymus Bosch, anonymous commentator and Baird Maritime‘s insider in the world of offshore oil and gas operations

Call for content!

Any news or views about the Spanish maritime industry? Send it through to [email protected] ASAP (between now and July 16), so we can add it to this current edition of Spain Week!

We are after:

• Vessels – Orders, new deliveries, under construction
• Gear – Latest innovations and technology in the Spanish vessel sector
• Interviews – Owners, operators, government agencies, vessel associations, etc.
• Reminiscences – Do you have any exciting, amusing or downright dangerous anecdotes from your time in the Spanish maritime industry? (example here)
• Other – Any other relevant news