Lisnave 7408

LISNAVE

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SOLUTIONS FOR SMOOTHER SHIPPING Powered by Inside Marine

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LISNAVE

I PROFILE

With customers across more than 50 countries, Lisnave maintains a global presence in the shipping maintenance and repair sector. The shipyard provides a comprehensive range of services including steelwork, piping, electricals, machinery, turbocharger and propeller repairs, propulsion systems, cleaning, painting, retrofits, upgrades, and conversions. Commercial Director Luis Braga explained more to Hannah Barnett.

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AS

a shipyard, Lisnave has

“We stand out thanks to three things:

numerous advantages.

flexibility, quality and delivery time,”

The company offers first-

said Luis Braga, Commercial Director.

class ship repair facilities, an optimal

“Our skilled labour force, combined with

geographic location, fair and mild weather

our team of over 30 project managers,

conditions and a wealth of experience

ensures that all requested services are

to customers worldwide.

delivered promptly with the highest

The facilities in Mitrena, Portugal, contain

quality. The dedicated team is available

six drydocks and eight alongside berths

365 days a year to meet our clients’

which can simultaneously accommodate

needs efficiently.”

a substantial number of vessels of various

The company also plays an economi-

sizes. This large capacity affords the com-

cally significant role in its location,

pany the flexibility to adapt to changes in

providing jobs for nearly 500 in-house

arrival dates, ensuring a smooth service

employees and subcontracting locally

for customers.

to over 2,000 individuals.

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LISNAVE

I PROFILE

Recent developments

the owner, inside the cargo holds.

Lisnave is the kind of the company the

Then we had to do all the supports, the

keeps evolving and 2023 marked a “busy

pipelines and the cooling lines all over

and challenging period,” according to

the ship. This also included electrical

Mr Braga.

installation, sensors and instrumentation,

2023 saw company turnover reaching €168 million, a significant increase compared to

plus some other modifications. It was quite challenging.”

the previous year. This growth occurred

Lisnave already completed a similar

despite a reduction in the number of vessels

conversion project for two vessels back

repaired (76 compared to 90 in 2022) and

in 2020. On that occasion, the company

is attributable to the numerous upgrade

was not required to do the piping and

projects undertaken.

electrical installation because the vessels

Indeed, the year was filled with valuable

arrived with those modifications already

and innovative projects, featuring several

completed. So, this more recent project

vessel upgrades including bulbous bow

marked a significant step forward in the

renewals, cold ironing retrofits and duct

demonstration of the company’s skills

installations. Notably, Lisnave also suc-

and capabilities.

cessfully converted a bulk carrier into a juice tanker.

Facility upkeep

“That was a very interesting project,”

In 2023, Lisnave also proudly became

Mr Braga explained. “The job consisted

a member of the Green Marine Europe

of installing the juice tanks, supplied by

Programme, which certifies the

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environmental performance of leading

position to give more importance to the

shipyards, ports and shipowners.

continuation of the good condition of the

Additionally, the company successfully

shipyard. The Facility Director ensures that

obtained a Safety Management System

everything is working properly, so that the

Certification in accordance with ISO45001.

operations can use the shipyard to be

Another significant milestone was the

able to perform accordingly.”

reorganisation of the company’s structure and the creation of a Facility Director

The power of partnership

position. The new management role is

In September, Lisnave will send delegates

responsible, among other things, for

to SMM, the world-leading maritime event

ensuring the shipyard’s equipment and

in Hamburg. The prestigious show presents

infrastructure remains in optimal perfor-

a valuable opportunity to engage with

mance conditions in terms of safety,

existing, and prospective, clients and

operation and the environment.

partners. Operationally, it also allows the

“It is an important role,” said Mr Braga.

company to explore innovative technical

“The shipyard itself is 50 years old and, of

solutions and providers that can enhance

course, equipment needs maintenance, so

the Lisnave competitive edge.

we think keeping the facility in good shape

“In terms of exhibitions, our commercial

is key. Maintenance and investments go

policy is there are three exhibitions that

together, so we have created this

are a must for us: Posidonia, Nor-Shipping

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LISNAVE

I PROFILE

and SMM,” Mr Braga explained. “The

suppliers know the shipyard quite well,”

difference between SMM and the previous

said Mr Braga. “So, there is a long-term

two is that it is a little bit more technical. For

relationship between us and that means

SMM, alongside our commercial team, we

that processes are often more agile.”

also bring colleagues from operations, because there’s a lot to see in terms of

Forward thinking

technology, service providing equipment

Lisnave continues to adapt to the

and materials. It’s an opportunity for us

evolving dynamics of the global market.

to investigate what’s happening in the

Each segment of the company has

market in terms of technical solutions.”

unique characteristics, meaning it can

Lisnave maintains formal agreements

easily anticipate and respond to trends

with a substantial number of specialised local suppliers, meaning the company

and requests.

“We have identified specific market

can respond promptly to unexpected or

segments where we will focus our

additional work and thus avoid delays in

investments in equipment and specialised

vessel redelivery.

labour, ensuring we can serve these clients

The high volume of work at the shipyard fosters strong relationships with these

most effectively,” said Mr Braga. “However, ship repair will remain our core business.”

suppliers, as it ensures a significant and

The unique nature of the ship repair

consistent flow of work. “Some of our local

business is evidently one of the things

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that make working at Lisnave so exciting.

Another is the high levels of technical specification and knowledge that the

Luis Braga Commercial Director

job demands.

“Shipyards must be exceptionally attuned to a customer needs, as shipowners and ship managers are highly knowledgeable about the technical requirements of their fleets and the capabilities of shipyards worldwide,” Mr Braga concluded. “It is one of the things that I love about working here.

“I have also recently developed a passion for sales management, something I did not have 10 or 15 years ago.

Engaging directly with clients, understanding their needs, collaborating on solutions and building long-term relationships with benefits for both parties is immensely rewarding. For me, this is truly a dream job.”

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