Bernando Fernandez, General manager, Astilleros Braswell International, S.A. Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

Panama is increasingly emerging as the logistics center of Central and South America and the Caribbean, with an ever-increasing demand for ship repair and maintenance as more and more ships pass through the Panama Canal. Strategically located at the Pacific entrance to the canal at the Port of Balboa, Astilleros Braswell International, S.A. provides a “one-stop-shop” facility that includes three dry-docks, one of which is the largest Panamax-size docks on the West Coast of North and South America.

General Manager, Bernardo Fernandez, who joined the company one year ago, brings a wealth of experience to the region. He says, “Our strategic location offers easy access from anywhere in the world, year-round favorable climatic conditions with no risk of hurricanes, a modern and cosmopolitan city and an international logistics center, Panama.”

Fernandez notes his company is one of the busiest shipyards in the region. “We are known for being among the top most active ship repair facilities on the Pacific coast of North and South America, serving vessels from all over the world.”

Panama’s Braswell Shipyard is now part of an international group of companies, involved in shipping, fishing and tuna processing industries, called Grupo Fextun. This is the company that the family of Bernardo Fernandez has built over the years, operating in Latin America, the Caribbean and Mexico. Grupo Fextun has 40 ships and three tuna processing plants located in several Latin American countries.

Hull and machinery repairs and precision mechanical heavy equipment repair are some of the expert services offered by Braswell Shipyard. Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

The shipyard offers vast experience with ship repair and maintenance services for which the Braswell name is famous internationally. Braswell Shipyard is renowned for providing dependable expert services for different types of vessels including cruise liners, cargo, refrigerated and container ships, fishing vessels, LPG carriers, tankers and many more

“The Braswell Shipyard offers timely and expert services in ship repairs and maintenance with fair prices. We provide a 24-hour service by highly skilled and experienced engineers and technicians. We employ over 600 specialized workers, 94 percent of whom are Panamanians, receiving their training from local educational institutions,” said Fernandez.

Since joining the Grupo Fextun in 2006, Braswell Shipyard has concentrated on a systematic improvement of structures, equipment, tools, logistics and training. They have also added ancillary facilities for the comfort of both their staff and customers while on location.

“Over the last year, we spent over 1.6 million dollars to accelerate the development of our facilities in an effort to meet the growing needs of our staff, our customers and the industry. Establishing a 100 percent customer satisfaction quality policy was our priority and the entire staff is committed to achieving total customer satisfaction, a high quality service, in an agreed amount of time for a fair price,” reiterated Fernandez.

Braswell Shipyard also offers a float repair service that includes all types of underwater repairs and inspections. These include hull-cleaning, propeller polishing and underwater welding.

The shipyard has access to cranes of up to 250 tons capacity. Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

“We offer hull and machinery repairs and pipe and valve replacement, efficient hydro-blasting, large scale tank blasting and coating, complete metallic surface treatments, painting, specialized welding, precision mechanical heavy equipment repair and installation and repair of all types of electrical and electronic systems.

“Our ‘afloat’ repairs in the Balboa anchorage are offered around the clock, seven days a week with private lunch for work crew and equipment deliveries,” said the general manager. 

“Inside our shops, we have 120, 000 square feet of fully equipped shop space supported by three 60-ton overhead cranes. Our machine shop has a full range of drills, radial grinders, mills, planers and vertical and horizontal lathes up to 17-meters long. It also has an optical cutter and a 400-ton press. Outside we have multiple mobile cranes with capacities of up to 50 tons and, if needed, we can hire additional hydraulic cranes with up to 250 tons capacity,” said Fernandez.

Arvind Bhatty, senior commercial manager, stated that the employees of Braswell Shipyard are specialized in their particular fields. “Our qualified personnel are specialists from all over the world. We also have an extensive network of local and international subcontractors and suppliers to ensure optimal services for quality and on time repairs.

“The protection of the vessels in our care is top priority. This is one of the reasons we ensure that we are compliant with all the required regulations of the International Maritime Organizations Ship and Port Facility Security, the ISPS Code. We minimize risk to our employees and those of our customers by complying with national and international occupational health and safety standards and environmental regulations,” stated Arvind Bhatty.

The ISPS Code requires port facilities (as it does ships) involved in trading internationally to develop and adhere to strict security procedures as stipulated in Port Facility Security Plans. The aim of the ISPS Code is to establish mechanisms against smuggling, terrorism, piracy and stowaways, among others.

Quality Manager Antonio José Das Neves Camilo said that Braswell aims for top quality performance on all their jobs.

“We at Braswell Shipyard work together to provide the best value in ship repair on the North and South American continents. We aim to do the best job possible at the best price, in a reasonable time agreed by all parties. High quality performance and customer satisfaction are our main focus,” reiterated Das Neves Camilo.