By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Navantia began its adventure more than a decade ago and has since built a solid reputation in the cruise ship repair market, largely for its high-quality workmanship, competitive pricing and on-time deliveries.
Situated in Cadiz, Spain, the yard is in a convenient location for operators wanting to dry dock their ships before they transition from Mediterranean to Eastern Atlantic itineraries, or vice versa. Cadiz’s climate is also well suited to year-round ship repair activities.
Navantia has one of the largest repair docks in Europe, which at 385 metres by 66 metres, can accommodate almost any cruise vessel. The yard can provide all necessary services and offers easy access for cranes, as well as lay-down areas, a large climate-controlled warehouse and space to manage more than 1,300 shipping containers at any one time.
Sixteen cruise ships were dry docked at Navantia in 2016 – the most for any European yard – which helped the company to reinforce its leading position in the Mediterranean ship repair and refurbishment market. One of the biggest upgrade projects was Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder.
Royal Caribbean International has always been a great supporter of Navantia, which has led to a number of other cruise companies using the yard as a resource for repairs and refurbishments. The company has secured several cruise ship projects for 2017 and beyond.
Buoyed by its success, Navantia plans to further improve its production methods and work closely with its partners to expand its business. The company will also continue to use its ‘lessons learned’ approach, working with clients to modify and improve processes to ensure each dry dock is more efficient than the last.
Although the market is the same for all cruise companies, each one has its own specific requirements, so Navantia’s philosophy has always been to adapt its facilities to individual clients. This flexibility, along with its strong partnership with Royal Caribbean, has been a key driver in the company’s success. Together, these factors all make Navantia an attractive choice for new and existing customers alike.