Governor Hilario Davide III (left) shakes hands with the workers of Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc. in Balamban, Cebu after the launching of the new SC-209 Bulk Carrier vessel. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
With a loud blast of its horn, an 82,000-tonnage carrier was released into the water of Balamban town, celebrating the newest ship made by Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Cebu Inc. (THI).
The cargo ship, ordered by a Japanese company, stood as tall as an eight to ten-floor building, and dwarfed smaller vessels floating beside it.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, who cut the ship’s rope, lauded the shipbuilder’s contribution to Cebu’s economy, especially in Balamban town where it employs 13,000 people.
The governor and his wife Jobella cut the ship’s rope with a ceremonial axe, as a champagne bottle smashed open atop the ship’s bow.
Confetti and ribbons fell from the deck as the vessel slid off a ramp and into the sea where a tugboat helped the carrier SC-209 make its way to the sea.
In his speech before THI officials, Davide recalled how the shipyard started in 1994.
“The employment allowed many families to build better homes, send children to school, enjoy a more prosperous life. The total effect is around P25 billion contributed to the Cebu economy last year,” he said.
He later toured the facility which sits atop a 147-hectare reclaimed property in barangay Buanoy.
The carrier is the 185th vessel assembled in the shipyard and will be deliverered to a Japanese buyer in a few weeks.
The bulk carrier has a length of 229 meters, breadth of 32.26 meters and a depth of 20 meters. It has a deadweight capacity of 82,00 metric tons.
THI president Hitoshi Kono said it will serve as a cargo ship to deliver coal, nickel, copper and other minerals from one continent to another.
For this year alone, the Balamban shipyard produced 10 vessels and is set to build 11 more before the end of 2014, he said.
“We are aiming to be the mother shipyard of THI in southeast Asia. We are very confident that we’re on our way,” Kono said in an interview.
Cebu governor Hilario Davide III watches as his wife Jobella prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon using an axe for the launching of the of the newly built SC-209 Bulk Carrier vessel at Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc. compound Balamban, Cebu. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III led the launch of the M/V Tenshu Maru in Balamban. It was was considered the “biggest ship ever built in a Phlippine shipyard” with a capacity of 180,000 deadweight metric tons.
Employment
Davide said the shipyard in Cebu has helped boost recruitment of Filipino seafarers.
“Thank you for thinking of locating here. Your company could have built this facility elsewhere.
Your decision to locate in Balamban put Cebu and the Philippines more prominently in the international shipping consciousness,” said Davide.
Davide said the Capitol will give THI an award to recognize its contribution during the founding anniversary of the Province of Cebu in September.
“Your decision to locate here strengthened the country’s image abroad as a worthy partner in international undertakings. This has helped put Cebu in the minds of other foreign investors looking into Southeast Asia,” he said.
Under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Balamban municipality, the company is obligated to hire 70 percent of its workforce from town residents.
Kono said the shipyard employs 13,000 Filipino workers including its subcontractor workers and affiliate companies.
The Tsuneishi Foundation also has Balamban scholars in naval architecture, mechanical engineering and civil engineering courses in University of San Jose-Recoletos and University of Cebu.
It helped expand the town’s hospital to a 50-bed capacity, renovated a clinic in Asturias town and helped finance Buanoy’s public market.
Kono, the president, said they plan to expand their shipbuilding academy in Balamban to train and employ more locals.