MORE than 130 skilled tradesmen at Belfast-based ship re-fit firm will be on an Asian-bound plane this morning to overhaul two luxury ships currently berthed in a port in Singapore.
And the workers from Blu Marine will be on site for 20 days, working round the clock to ensure the Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria liners are ready to take passengers as quickly as possible.
Blu Marine, founded just eight years ago and operating from premises on the Airport Road, has secured a £2.1 million deal to re-fit the two high end luxury cruise ships.
Its team includes engineers, designers, electricians, tradesmen, all with vast experience of marine outfitting. Twenty two containers of equipment and materials are already on their way to Singapore for use on the project.
Managing director Craig McCoo praised his team and said Blu Marine is continuing to make a mark globally on the ship fitting sector.
He added: “We're delighted to have been appointed by cruise ship owners Carnival Australia in what was a competitive, international process.
"Blu Marine won out over eight other bidders, which is a testament both to our skill and experience, as well as our growing global reputation. I take great pride in our track record as we deliver for customers on time, within budget and we stand over the quality of our work."
Mr McCoo said: “This particular job is particularly detailed and amounts to a complete revitalisation of the Aria and the Eden.
"We will be ripping out all of the insides of the ships before refurbishing the whole central atrium, passageways, corridors, bars, elevators and all of the on site facilities such as casinos, salons and shops.
"Our team will work on each ship for 10 days and turn them over to Carnival Australia, ready for passengers to come on board.”
Blu Marine has successfully delivered projects locally as well as throughout the UK, Europe, the Far East and the Americas. As well as Belfast it has offices in Southampton and Hong Kong.
