Cebu-based global shipbuilder delivers largest high-speed trimaran ever built in PH

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

BALAMBAN, Cebu—Austal Philippines, a global shipbuilder based at the West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP) in Balamban, Cebu completed and delivered its 20^th world-class ship, largest high-speed trimaran ever built in the Philippines and second largest high-speed vessel to be constructed here during the pandemic.

The Bañaderos Express (Austal Hull 395), an Austal Auto Express 118 high-speed trimaran ferry was built for inter-island ferry service Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands.  It is Austal’s 20th vessel since it set up shop at WCIP 2012.

This latest feat cements Blamban’s position as ‘Shipbuilding Capital of the Philippines’ as WCIP gears up for expansion that will see the development of 40 hectares for industrial locators. There will be 15 lots in total, ranging from one- to five-hectare areas.

Austal Philippines President and General Manager Wayne Murray said the delivery of Bañaderos Express was a very proud moment for the Balamban-based team of 1,000 employees who safely and efficiently constructed the 118-meter ferry throughout the pandemic.

“We are understandably very pleased to deliver such an impressive ship to Fred Olsen Express, soon after delivering Fjord FSTR for Fjord Line of Norway, earlier in 2021. Now, we continue our efforts on delivering the largest high-speed ferry ever built in the Philippines, again ー the 115 meter Express 5 for Molslinjen of Denmark,” Murray revealed.

According to Murray that Austal Philippines is not only delivering world-class ships for customers around the world, but it is also developing Filipino shipbuilding capability, right here in Balamban and the company is grateful for the continued support of the WCIP and look forward to the facilities’ expansion that will create even more opportunities for local businesses to join the Filipino shipbuilding industry.

 

CIPDI expansion to host more world-class locators

Cebu Industrial Park Developers, Inc. (CIPDI) President and First Vice President for the Aboitiz Integrated Economic Centers Rafael Fernandez de Mesa said they are proud to be hosting Austal which is renowned for designing and building world-class ships that allow for the most comfortable traveling by sea.   

“As we celebrate this achievement with them, we are proud to soon launch the construction of our expansion that can help bring in more world-class locators to Balamban.  We are excited to fulfill our vision to develop WCIP into a pioneer of industrial-anchored townships on the west coast of Cebu, enabling businesses and the local community to thrive,” Fernandez de Mesa added.

Construction for the expansion is set to kick off in January 2022 and scheduled to be completed by December 2023. It will allow for more industrial spaces plus a four-hectare Commercial Complex, a Central Terminal, and communal parks.

New locators and businesses that will be brought in are expected to generate up to 14,000 new jobs for the municipality.  With the expanded industrial zone and additional amenities, CIPDI expects to attract a more varied mix of locators into WCIP, including light and medium manufacturing companies.

The company has started taking reservations for the upcoming inventory and has already secured new locators.  Currently, WCIP is a 540-hectare mixed-use estate anchored by a 283-hectare Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) registered zone that has complementary commercial, institutional, and residential components.

The Estate hosts 11 locators from medium to heavy industries, some of which are the biggest shipbuilding firms in the world. WCIP’s industrial locators and commercial tenants currently employ a total of 14,000 Filipinos.

The Estate is strategically located in the west side of Cebu, known to be a major industrial belt adjacent to various access points. It is accessible by land via the Trans-central Highway and South Coastal Road via Naga City from the province’s capital, as well as by sea through a private shipping port for common logistics support.

Locators’ support

To help support locators’ manpower requirements is the Balamban Campus of the University of San Jose-Recoletos, located nearby which offers basic education up to Senior High level and Don Bosco Balamban Technological Center which offers skills training programs on welding (arc and smaw), practical electricity, sewing, automotive mechanic and soon, AutoCAD.

Like other Aboitiz Integrated Economic Centers namely LIMA Estate in Batangas and Mactan Economic Zone 2 in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, WCIP is thoughtfully planned and masterfully designed to ensure a vibrant and productive township lifestyle.

It is well-supported by Aboitiz Group affiliates which include Balamban Enerzone for power, Aboitiz InfraCapital for water, and Aboitiz Construction for building requirements.

In 1992, Balamban, Cebu was a simple coastal town which transformed into a first-class municipality when CIPDI began operations in the area to develop WCIP.  The initial success of WCIP enabled the estate to grow from 202 to 540 hectares. The expansion hopes to continue WCIP’s growth story and turn Balamban into a vibrant city.