Fire Aid teams are pleased to report that following significant signs of improvement in the number of CV-19 cases across Europe and globally, many shipyards have now announced that they have resumed operations.

The MB92 Group re-started activity at both of its superyacht refit and repair facilities in Barcelona and La Ciotat. Singaporean shipyards have also now begun recommencing refit and repair work. Ferretti Group has announced that it is one of the first companies in Italy to sign a protocol with national, territorial, and local trade unions to combat the spread of the virus in the workplace. Chantier Naval de Marseille (CNM) and its sister yard, Marseille-based San Giorgio del Porto (SGdP) has recommenced work.

Whilst ports have remained open, as regarded as critical in ensuring the flow of goods, new-build vessels and ship repair work had been placed on hold to limit the transit of operatives sharing workspace and accommodation, in efforts to contain the virus.

As reported in Maritime Executive, “The health and safety of our employees, clients, suppliers and local community has always been our absolute priority,” says CEO and President, Pepe García-Aubert of MB92. “When we made the difficult decision to suspend activity at our facilities, we did so preemptively… given the significant flow of people into and out of our facilities and the rising number of cases in Europe, the MB92 Group was as prudent as possible to protect everyone’s health, especially when considering the reduced availability of adequate personal protection at that time.”

All shipyards’ activities will be gradually escalated to comply with strict protocols to ensure the welfare of all personnel.

The cruise sector’s Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas  completed her Royal Amplification refit, emerging from the Grand Bahama Shipyard just ahead of the pandemic shutdown. However, other cruise ships have delayed continuing their plans of fleet refits, such as Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas which is en route to Cadiz, Spain, where she will receive a 30-day  technical and navigational upgrade, as opposed to the grand scale 58-day refit originally planned.

Fire Aid’s teams are currently working in France and Rotterdam, carrying out their usual Fire Guard duties on board vessels in dry dock . The Fire Aid team is working with their shipyard clients in ensuring that include carefully monitored and managed working procedures and movement including access to and from site is in line with social distancing guidelines, together with regular body temperature checks.

Many yards are providing personal protection equipment (PPE) for operatives and their families and the businesses are exploring greater agile working for white-collar workers. In addition, some companies are also providing health insurance for its employees.

Chris Rowley, MD at Fire Aid comments, “We are pleased that shipyards are returning to some form of normal activity and we continue to provide emergency preparedness and safety support to our clients at this important time.”

For further information regarding how Fire Aid assists ships in dry dock, please email the team at info@fireaid.com.