ALBUERA, LEYTE – Megaship Builders Inc. (MBI), the first shipyard in Eastern Visayas, recently celebrated the grand inauguration of Slipway 3 in Barangay Balugo. This momentous event took place on October 6, 2023, and marked a significant milestone for MBI. With the longest slipway in the country, MBI has solidified its position as a Class A licensed shipyard.
The important event started with a Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Noni Murillo, USJ-R Board of Directors, and Rev. Fr. Libby Danos, Order of Augustinian Discalse, followed with a blessing of the facility.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony also took place, which was led by Engr. Francis Lloyd T. Chua, the owner and president of Megaship Builders Inc., together with Engr. Manuel Chua, owner and chairman of Megaship Builders Inc.; Theresita T. Chua, owner of Chua Group of Companies; Leyte 4th District Representative Richard I. Gomez; Leyte Provincial Board Member Vince Rama; Albuera Vice Mayor Edang Fadul; and Regional Director Atty. Eusebia A. Cadlum-Boco of the Maritime Industry Authority Regional Office 8 (MARINA RO8).
Engr. Manuel Chua shared that slipways represent not just structures but a symbol of progress and commitment to excellence in the maritime industry.
On the other hand, Engr. Francis Lloyd T. Chua thanked the people who worked hard to make the project a reality, and added that it would generate job opportunities. “This will entail more jobs, not just in Albuera but in nearby towns,” he said.
Accordingly, Slipway 3 is a carriage and railway slipway that can drydock or build a 50,000-dwt cargo capacity vessel. It is 500 meters long and 41 meters wide; and that a 75-ton JIB crane will soon be installed on the slipway.
The said shipyard started with two slipways. Slipway 1, accordingly, is an air balloon slipway with up to 5,000-dwt cargo capacity, 210 meters in length and 22 meters in width.
Meanwhile, Slipway 2, which is also an air balloon slipway and a multi-dock slipway with a cargo capacity of up to 10,000 dwt, 210 meters in length and 57 meters in width.
Megaship Builders Inc. provides shipyard services such as shipbuilding, ship repair, ship conversion, mechanical works, drafting and design, fabrication works, and afloat works. Excitingly, they are expanding to include ship break and recycling services.
Accordingly, a three-building workshop will be constructed to boost the ship-building capacity of bigger ships. CNC cutting machines, bending and shearing machines, automatic welding, 25-ton overhead cranes, 7.5-ton semi-gantry, and steel processing machinery will soon be provided as well.
The company is said to be committed to providing quality and cost-effective solutions, innovative designs, and swift delivery of shipbuilding and ship repair services, as their vision is to be the preferred and largest shipbuilding and ship repair company nationwide.
Further, the company envisions itself as one of the major players in meeting the demands of the maritime industry in the Philippines in the near future.
To recall, the company was officially established as a shipbuilding and repair facility in 2012.
The launching event was also graced by Governor Damian Mercado of Southern, Leyte; Engr. Alfredo Comendador, Jr., Execom President of Premium Megastructures Inc. (PMI) and IMC; Albuera Mayor Sixto dela Victoria; Engr. Arvi Vincent Suroysuroy, National Head; Barangay Balugo Captain Regiño Alao; Capt. Cecile Suico of Roble Shipping Lines; and employees of DBP Makati and Ormoc.
Shipowners and representatives from the Philippine Navy, Camotes Island Ferries, Lite Ferry Shipping, Oceanic Container Lines, Avega Bros. Integrated Shipping Corp., DS Catingub Bros, Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation, and Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer Corporation were also present to show their support to Megaship Builders. The successful facilitation of this grand inauguration of Slipway 3 was a testament to the dedication and expertise of the MBI team. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail October 9-15, 2023 issue)
