The government of New Caledonia will be ordering more vessels from Cebu in the next two to three years to fuel the development of its tourism industry.
In an interview with Alain Descombels, president of New Caledonia’s Commission of Economic Development, he said that the competitive price as well as the world-class quality of vessels made here prompted his government to have all his vessel requirements in the next few years be made in Cebu.
Descombels, along with other 13 New Caledonian businessmen and government leaders were in Cebu recently to inspect the construction of the US$20 million vessel now being constructed at the Aboitiz-owned shipbuilding plant FBMA Marine Inc., in Balamban.
According to Descombels, his government considered other shipbuilding facilities all over the world, like Europe, France, Australia, Norway and Sweden, but quality of craftsmanship in the Philippines for shipbuilding has impressed them.
“We hope to order more vessels [from FBMA] in the next two to three years. Vessels are very important tool for the development of our tourism industry to link the islands,” he said in a press conference.
New Caledonia is the second biggest nickel producer in the world, next to Russia. Descombels said aside from the nickel industry, the government is also up on developing the potential of its tourism sector, he said.
The French territory New Caledonia government is commissioning FBMA to make a 34-knot Catamaran ship that could accommodate a total of 300 passengers and 60 cars. The vessel’s completion and delivery will be on September this year.
He said after the delivery of the first order of Catamaran vessel from FBMA, the government may order at least two to three more ships in the next few years.
He added that quality of the boat is a very important factor that could withstand the rough waters within the New Caledonian seas.
Cebu’s shipbuilding industry has now started to gain attention from the world market. FBMA for instance has been making vessels for Europe, United States, Australia, and some parts of Asia markets.
Last month, FBMA has completed its 23rd vessel the hull 1025 Catamaran ordered by Pentland Ferries in Scotland.
FBMA is operating at the West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP) in Balamban. It has a total of 500 workers.
The first vessel constructed by FBMA was a 50-knots 45-meter Tricat for the Hong Kong-Macau route.
It has delivered 22 vessels to different countries since 1997, such as Europe, United States, Australia, and some parts of Asia.
