Ship repairer to move to Lindø

Denmark's largest ship repairer, Fredericia Shipyard, is moving its operations to the Lindø yard of Maersk's Odense Steel Shipyard.

It has entered into an agreement with Odense Steel Shipyard that will see it rent the original dock facilities at Lindø and a number of buildings housing administration, workshops and changing room facilities etc. Fredericia Shipyard will have more than 100,000 sq.m at its disposal.

The agreement runs for a minimum of 25 years. Fredericia Shipyard will start preparations this year to be ready at Lindø on January 1, 2011 with 50% of its repair work. The remainder will move to Lindø the following year.

Fredericia will change its name to FAYARD in connection with the move.

Thomas Andersen of Fredericia Shipyard says: "For many years, we have worked with Lindø on projects and ship repairs for A.P. Moller - Maersk. At Lindø we will have desirable space and working conditions so we can continue the development from the position we have attained at Fredericia. Behind the results at Fredericia are 450 employees. To get them to move to Lindø is important, if the transformation is to be a total success. The central location of Lindø both in relation to employees and customers played a part in the decision making process. We do not plan to halt production during the move from Fredericia to Lindø."

In January this year Maersk announced a new business model for the Lindø yard that included leasing out space and facilities. Finn Buus Nielsen, Managing Director of Odense Steel Shipyard commented: "We expect that the agreement with Fredericia Shipyard is the first of hopefully a long line of agreements, which will ensure good and versatile utilisation of Lindø and the work force in the area."