Siong Huat Shipyard Operates World Largest Mobile Boat Hoist

Siong Huat Shipyard Pte Ltd, a privately owned local company, announced that the world's largest Mobile Boat Hoist is now operational at the new yard in Gul Road.

The latest 500 ton capacity, model 500 BFM mobile boat hoist is built and erected by Marine Travelift, Inc, USA. The boat hoist is capable to lift commercial vessels including tug boats, supply vessels, barges, large pleasure crafts for repair and maintenance works. It can also be used to load and unload machinery and equipment for the offshore petroleum companies.

The boat hoist is designed to lift and transport vessels within the shipyard. Mr Cedric Tan, the Assistant General Manager of Siong Huat Shipyard, said: "The 500 BFM Marine Travelift hoist has greater flexibility over drydocks or elevating platforms and better yard utilisation,"

"This new boat hoist is 5 to 10 times faster than any other ship lifting system." added Mr Cedric Tan.

The patented lift system on the 500BFM employs 6 high-capacity, nylon slings and provides even load distribution regardless of hull configuration. A total of 16 high-flotation tires drive the machine. A 300 horse- power diesel engine drives eight hydraulic pump sections to power the hoisting, driving, and steering systems of the machine.

To date, Siong Huat Shipyard is believed to be the first shipyard installed the world largest S$5 million Mobile Boat Hoist in Singapore and in this region.

"The Boat Hoist is designed and engineered to handle heavy payloads, we would like to offer our facilities to the government in time of emergencies or national exercise," said Mr Cedric Tan, "We intend to buy another Boat Hoist with 1,200 ton capacity in the near future."

Siong Huat Shipyard which is incorporated in 1961, specialise in shipbuilding and shiprepairing, marine engineering and structural steel fabrication. Its other activities include the building of marine pleasure craft, shipping services and consultancy and construction for markets in the Middle East, Australia, Papua New Guinea, India and China.

In the Middle East, siong Huat Shipyard has developed a strong working relationship with Delma Co-operative Society, a dynamic United Arab Emirates Government-owned marine-oriented company in Abu Dhabi. The shipyard facilities in Abu Dhabi cover more than 10 hectares. Siong Huat Shipyard provides comprehensive port management services which include marine consultancy for the shipbuilding and shiprepairing divisions.

Siong Huat Shipyard has plans for the future to restructure and streamline its operations through further investments in equipment and machinery to enhance its operational efficiency and quality.