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While shortsea ships exist throughout the world, the most modern tend to be European owned and built. Indeed the majority of Europe's yards, particularly those in the Netherlands and Germany, have only survived the Asian onslaught by concentrating on this niche sector. In a time of burgeoning world trade and with yard space everywhere at a premium, eyes are turning to opportunities further afield.

Dutch expertise in small-ship design and marketing has played a signal role in extending the options open to European investors in shortsea dry cargo vessel capacity. The determination of Chowgule & Co's shipbuilding division in Goa to widen its horizons beyond the home market, and the attendant forging of a business link with Groningen-based Connoship International, has engendered a succession of contracts from European short sea specialists. By mid-2006, Chowgule's export programme of newbuilds based on a Dutch-originated design of 4,450dwt multi-purpose cargo ship had reached 20 units. Clients include Apollo Shipping of Hamburg, Navigia Group of Groningen, and UK operator Union Transport.

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Early delivery positions, as well as keenly competitive price, were a powerful motivator for the various shipbuilding award~ to the Indian company. Chowgule's commitment to a major capital expenditure on its facilities has also had a positive bearing on the European operators' view of the Indian builder. An initial investment programme totaling Rs400M ($8.6M) has been followed by a further commitment of Rs55M, involving a second CNC (computer numerically controlled) cutting machine and slipway improvements at the Loutulim yard in Goa.

Conoship has acted as intermediary in the various European new build projects at Chowgule's, its technical role including assistance with equipment procurement in addition to design provision.

The versatile 4,450dwt type of dry cargo trader central to the Indian builder's drive into the international market is based on a Conoship design, and applies core features proven in the demanding coastal and shortsea freight business. The chosen design is marginally under 90m overall, with a breadth of 14.4m. It embodies a single, box-like hold offering a capacity of some 5,816m3 and incorporating movable bulkheads. The vessels will be able to take soft ground in a loaded condition, a prerequisite of operations to tidal riverside and coastal berths, and will be powered by a compact main engine of 1,980kW output, for a speed of 11.5kt.

Originally the sales, marketing and design company acting exclusively on behalf of its northern Dutch shipyard shareholders, Conoship's remit was changed at the start of 2004. This allows it to broaden its client base by acting for other shipbuilders and maritime interests as well as for owners on a direct basis.

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Home and away

As a result of the new strategy, the company has attracted a continuous flow of basic engineering commissions from shipowners. Its expanded field of services has seen the fostering of relations with certain foreign shipbuilders under the status of 'associated shipyards', including the ambitious Chowgule shipbuilding enterprise. After the contraction of recent years in the number of Conoship member shipyards in its northern Dutch heartlands, Conoship maintains that it is growing again as regards its business in providing shipyard representation and newbuild know-how.

At the same time, the three member companies in those northern provinces, namely Shipyard Royal Niestern Sander, Shipyard Barkmeijer Stroobos and Bodewes Shipyards, have consolidated their standing in the small-ship sector, and are sustaining a very high level of production activity. In mid-2006, the combined orderbook amounted to 45 vessels. The contract situation among the Dutch member yards is distinguished not only by the volume of work, but also by the extent to which traditional strengths have continued to bear fruit. Every newbuild on the books at the mid-year point was a multi-purpose cargo vessel, and the designs involved spanned the tonnage band from 3,400 to 15,000dwt.