German Ship Repair Jamaica Limited Making Significant Strides

German Ship Repair Jamaica Limited (GSRJ) has been making significant strides in generating employment and facilitating training opportunities for Jamaicans since its establishment in November 2023.

In so doing, the entity, under the able leadership of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lieutenant Colonel Martin Rickman, not only repairs sea vessels but is also transforming Jamaica’s maritime industry and striving to meet international standards. This, while positioning itself to redefine what it means to be a leader in ship repairs.

Colonel Rickman shares the path coursed by the entity since it commenced operations at Harbour Head in Kingston.

“As the first of its kind in Jamaica, we encountered various obstacles along the way. From sourcing skilled labour to establishing efficient operational processes, every step was a learning experience,” he tells JIS News.

GSRJ initially employed about 45 expatriates to train locals. However, Colonel Rickman says this number has decreased to 13, pointing out that part of the entity’s goal is to grow and upskill local workers.

“On a daily basis, there are about 100 workers on the ship repair site, including consultants, experts, locals and [expatriates],” the CEO says, pointing out that he is proud of the GSRJ’s progress in providing job opportunities.

A vital aspect of GSRJ’s success is grounded in its partnerships forged with institutions such as the HEART/NSTA Trust and Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) to facilitate training opportunities for employees.

“We have introduced a brand-new certification programme which will make our employees internationally marketable,” Colonel Rickman informs.

The programme admits skilled workers, such as welders and mechanics who are already familiar with smaller engines and tools, and trains them to apply their existing knowledge to larger engines requiring cranes for repairs.
Colonel Rickman, who refers to the training opportunities as “brain gain”, says these will redound to Jamaica’s benefit.

“I’m not worried about brain drain. My goal is to train way more professionals than I’ll ever need, so I’ll always have a steady workforce,” he states.

Regarding maintenance and repairs, during its inaugural year, GSRJ serviced 13 dry dock and 17 wet dock vessels, setting a high benchmark for operational efficiency and quality service delivery.

With approximately 16,000 vessels operating daily in the Caribbean, of which repairs are sought for some 3,000, Colonel Rickman notes that Jamaica currently services less than two per cent of these.

“My top priority now is to drastically improve efficiency so that we get to a place where we are servicing at least 24 dry dock vessels per year,” he states.

The turnaround time for repairs is also high on the CEO’s agenda.

“We will have weather and climate-related events from time to time. But one of my goals right now is to ensure that we meet the timeline we give to our clients,” he informs.

Colonel Rickman emphasises that delivering on promises is crucial in the ship repair business, noting this can determine whether clients return or seek services elsewhere.

He also underscores GSRJ’s commitment to upholding international standards, while acknowledging the need for additional investments to further enhance the entity.

The CEO expresses gratitude for the support received from government agencies such as the Jamaica Special Economic Zone Authority (JSEZA), which facilitated seamless import processes for essential shipping parts.

“It is through such partnerships and shared vision that we have been able to navigate challenges and thrive in this competitive industry,” he states.

GSRJ currently has the unique advantage of being able to receive parts on behalf of clients and promptly clearing them through customs to effect repairs.
“That’s a significant benefit of the freezone designation,” Colonel Rickman points out, adding that Jamaica is the sole regional country offering such advantages.

Meanwhile, the CEO advises of plans to expand GSRJ’s operations at its Harbour Head shipyard, with space earmarked for two additional floating docks.

This expansion will enable the entity to accommodate more vessels and recruit additional staff.

Colonel Rickman also tells JIS News about the prospects of establishing ship repair operations in the eastern end of the island.

“We have plans to launch an Initial Public Offer (IPO) in the medium term, which will allow us to finance some of these projects,” he discloses.

Colonel Rickman says he is optimistic about German Ship Repair Jamaica Limited’s future as the entity continues its journey towards excellence, guided by a steadfast commitment to innovation, quality and collaboration.