(EnergyAsia, August 6 2010, Friday) --- Graig Ship Management (GSM), a subsidiary of UK-based shipowning and shipping services conglomerate Graig Group, said it has opened a deep water anchorage site at Batam in Galang Bay off Indonesia’s Galang Island to provide safe and secure anchorage for all vessel types.

Close to trade routes and airports, the serviced anchorage is suitable for hot and cold lay-up, maintenance, survey, underwater cleaning and tank cleaning and is fully supported with relevant services.

Aside from its safe distance from typhoon-prone areas, the company said the site is also protected from piracy, theft and vandalism thanks to security services employed by GSM.

Geoff Hutcheon, general manager of Graig Services (Singapore), said: “Traditional lay-up sites and anchorages remain congested. Graig has a very good relationship with the Indonesian authorities and has onsite Indonesian partners so we have been able to develop this mooring site into an excellent area for lay-up and general services.

“We can offer lots of advantages to owners and GSM is able to support the whole process from planning through to lay-up and reactivation. GSM’s agreement with Indonesian partners BDP means costs are competitive. With us, one fixed monthly fee covers a safe mooring, port dues, dehumidification, 24/7 watchmen, routine tasks and maintenance, reporting and record keeping.”

GSM will provide a full range of services, including risk assessment, safe mooring, a lay-up plan and preparation advice, provision of equipment including generator, a workboat, warehouse facilities, crew repatriation, garbage disposal, FW and bunkers and a full re-activation service.

Owners can also use GSM’s serviced anchorage as a safe and secure area to wait for cargo, complete maintenance or cleaning or undergo surveys. Superintendents and crew can be accommodated in air-conditioned chalets on the beach overlooking the bay.

From a purpose-built tower, the bay will be constantly monitored through electronic tracking and close radio communication.

Mr Hutcheon said: “Graig has a strong group of expert senior managers who have been project managers in the building of modern ships and who really understand how a ship is put together and works. That sort of knowledge is rare, and it is vital to knowing how to safely lay-up a ship. It is no use laying-up a ship safely if when reactivated it gives problems. That’s where owners using Galang Bay and GSM will benefit.

“GSM has a good site, a good local partner, security, low costs and we have the expertise to pull it all together for owners seeking lay-up or other services in a safe, serviced anchorage.”

Founded in 1919, the Graig Group provides technical and commercial ship management, newbuilding supervision, lay-up services, ship design, ship owning and ship finance to global clients. The group has supervised over 120 newbuildings for itself and major shipowners, and provides technical consultancy services to a major European bank with a portfolio of 90 vessels.