Construction of Brazil’s Biggest Shipyard Progresses According to Schedule

The construction of the Açu Shipbuilding Unit (UCN Açu) in the Açu Superport Industrial Complex in São João da Barra, located in northern Rio de Janeiro State, has been progressing according to schedule since construction began in July of 2011, with partial operation beginning in the first quarter of 2013. UCN Açu is a fifth generation shipyard, built and to be operated with technology developed by UCN Açu’s Korean partner Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the global leader in naval construction.

The construction cost of UCN Açu was updated to approximately R$4.8 billion (approx $2.36 Bln) with the redimensioning of the project for its current location, of industry costs and foreign exchange rate variation in the period.

Accordingly, UCN currently has 8 Hyundai employees working directly in the construction of the shipyard in Rio de Janeiro State, assisting with technical inquiries regarding construction design, as well as in the interface with the HHI team in its headquarters in Ulsan, Korea, which is dedicated to concluding operating manuals and to preparing the training for the OSX – UCN Açu team at HHI’s Korean shipyard.

In November, the first of four groups of OSX professionals will travel to Korea for the training of OSX’s team at Hyundai’s Korean shipyard. These groups were separated by disciplines used in the operation of the production unit, with the first group being composed of 22 professionals covering the areas of Planning, Production Programming and Control, Material Pre-Treatment and Cut, Sub-Assembly and the Construction and Assembly areas for ships and offshore platforms.

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, October 30, 2012