Viktor Lenac Shipyard
The Viktor Lenac Shipyard (Croatian: Brodogradilište Viktor Lenac JSC or Shipyard Viktor Lenac d.d. (JSC))[1] is situated on the northern Croatian Adriatic coast, 3 km from the largest Croatian port Rijeka. It was founded in 1896,[1] and was among the first in the world to deal with ship lengthenings.[2] It is quoted on the Zagreb Stock Exchange with ticker VLEN-R-B.[1]
Today it has three floating drydocks, one accommodating vessels up to 160,000 dwt, more than 1,000 meters of berthing space, a large offshore construction site and it specializes in ship conversions and gas platform construction.
History
In 1896 a ship repair facility for the merchant, naval and fishing vessel fleets of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was founded in Rijeka, the largest Adriatic port, under the name Lazarus. At the end of the Second World War, in 1948, the yard was nationalised and renamed Viktor Lenac,[3] after a national hero who worked at the shipyard and was honoured by it.
In the late 1960s the shipyard was moved 3 kilometres to the south to its present location at Martinšćica Bay (Kostrena), which has an adequate water depth to accommodate vessels with deep draughts. The shipyard purchased two floating drydocks and cranes and put them in the bay. After this move, the yard rapidly developed its repair, conversion, and offshore capabilities. After a managerial reorganization in 1990, the shipyard was registered as a joint-stock company in 1993 and is today the only privately owned major shipyard in Croatia.
After being rescued several times by government guarantees, the company filed for bankruptcy in November 2003 with debts of 102 million euros, after the government refused to guarantee a loan of 12 million US dollars.[3] The bankruptcy process was completed in 2008 and Tankerska plovidba Co., Croatia's largest shipping company, became the largest shareholder, followed by the Uljanik Shipyard, Croatia's major builder of car carriers and dredgers.
The yacht Galeb, used by Marshall Tito, has been berthed at the shipyard since before 2008. The city of Rijeka, which now owns the yacht, plans to convert it into a museum.
In 2009 Floating Dock No. 11, that can accommodate vessels up to Suezmax size, was put into full operation after refurbishment.
In 2011, the shipyard won a competitive bidding process for a 60-day maintenance program on the American ship USS Mount Whitney, during which the shipyard was visited by the United States Ambassador to Croatia, and Frank Pandolfe, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. The visit was said to have served to strengthen the bonds between the two countries.[4]
Notable conversions
- The Helix Producer 1 was reconfigured as a FPSO vessel and converted between 2006–2008 at the Viktor Lenac Shipyard.
- Sampson, the crane and pipelay vessel, was converted in Lenac in 2012.
- Seminole, the crane-pipe laying vessel was reconfigured and converted in 2011
- Atlantic Navigator, the Stern Trawler, was extended and converted in Lenac in 2008.
Notable ship repairs
- Saipem’s semisubmersible rig Scarabeo 4 was maintained and repaired in Viktor Lenac in 2009.
- USS Mount Whitney, the Amphibious Command Ship was repaired in year 2011 at the Viktor Lenac Shipyard
- Christina O Greek shipowner Aristotle Onassis Luxury yacht reconstruction in 2001
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Brodogradiliste Viktor Lenac d.d., Shipbuilding, Croatia - General Information". SeeNews Company Profiles. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ↑ "Aker BioMarine build Life Science Factory". Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Brodogradiliste Viktor Lenac d.d.(Croatia)(Company overview)". SeeNews Company and Industry Profiles. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2012. – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
- ↑ "US Ambassador and 6th Fleet Commander Commemorate US-Croatia Partnership". United States European Command. Retrieved 11 December 2012.