PANAMA. Maritime activity is to suffer the effects of international crises, but this is not an impediment for Braswell yards to aim high.
It is the only shipyard in the Pacific coast, from Los Angeles to Chile with capacity to serve Panamax vessels.But this record does not appear to be sufficient. The company will invest in the next few years 100 million dollars for the construction of a new dam with a capacity to receive post-Panamax.
The Astilleros Braswell’s quality manager , Camilo Antonio, said that studies were conducted, which is not defined is whether built in Pacific or Atlantic side of the Canal, but what is certain is that it will be built before to supplement the work of expansion of the waterway.
Braswell Shipyard is located in La Boca, the dam has the largest dimension of a lock, but its current location prevents further growth.
It serves about 100 boats a year and has an annual turnover of $ 16 million.
Its main customers are the boats “feeder”, a name that is named with the smaller boats that cater to nearby ports. But it also serves yachts, bulk carriers, cruisers, fishing boats, among others.
Camilo argues that this investment will be undertaken with the aim of being prepared for the increased number of ships transiting through Panama, after expansion of the Canal and by the fact that the country is consolidating as a Maritime Hub.
Braswell will be the first shipyard in the region with the capacity for maintenance of Post Panamax ships.
The shipyard started operations in Panama in 1971 and has three dams for the repair of ships, one with the same dimensions of the locks, capable of responding to Panamax vessels or five small ships at once.
Some 120 people work on a permanent basis in the company, which operates 24 hours a day. Taking the sub-contractors and temporary staff to the number of employees could reach 500.
Camilo considers that Panama will remain an attractive location for shipping companies and forced a path of international trade. The group of Fábrica de Exquisiteces de Atún (Fextun) acquired the concession of Braswell Shipyard in January 2006. This group is also linked to the market for tankers and other maritime activities.
NEW COURSE
Panamax size is determined by the dimensions of the locks of the Canal: 33.53 meters wide by 320 meters in length. But many modern ships (post Panamax) exceeds by far the Panamax, and can not pass through the waterway in Panama, as the case of super container ships and modern. However, continue to move bulk cargo mainly in Panamax vessels. Post-Panamax ships are the larger boats. Therefore, these ships can not navigate the current channel, in which ships can travel 12.5 meters deep, while the Suez offers 15 meters.
Source: Estrella de Panamá
