By PR and Helen Castaño | 05:07 PM November 28, 2023
Artemis Marine and Industrial Construction, Inc. (AMICI) proudly announces its emergence as the latest modern ship building and ship repair facility in the Philippines, marking a significant milestone in country’s maritime landscape. Its entry into the maritime arena is poised to amplify the country’s shipping capacities encapsulating dedicated efforts towards innovation, technology, and infrastructure development within the maritime sector.
With a development spanning 19 hectares in Barangay Cruz, Buenavista, in Bohol, AMICI stands as one of the largest shipyards in Visayas and Mindanao. Its substantial presence is seen to bring transformative impact not only within Bohol but also across the entire nation. AMICI’s establishment signifies a boost for regional growth and a significant contribution to the country’s maritime capabilities.
MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE
At the core of AMICI’s operations lies an advanced facility, groundbreaking technology, and future-ready capacity. Its dedication to excellence is also evident in its adherence to safety, health, environmental, and quality management standards. Spearheading these commitments is the leadership of Engr. William Christopher U. Liu, Jr. (CEO), Alvin G. Basal (General Manager), and Engr. Pantaleon Giangan, Jr. (Senior Operations Manager).
AMICI’s advanced facility features an impressive capacity of a big-scale transfers technology designed with a simultaneous dry-dock capacity of 12 100-meter length ships expandable through side ward railways extension. The facility is primed for future growth, with plans underway to extend its capacity to accommodate up to 20 ships, ensuring the facility’s ability to adapt and expand its services.
AMICI’s service portfolio includes a wide spectrum of offerings catering to every aspect of ship management such as dry-docking and afloat repair, hull preservation which includes blasting and painting, ship conversion and structural fabrication. AMICI also handles ship maintenance of electrical, piping, propulsion, hydraulic, gearbox, and engine systems guaranteeing a holistic approach to ship care and enhancement.
It highights a fully-equipped infrastructure representing AMICI’s operational preparedness and efficiency. The extensive infrastructure roster encompasses a main slipway, main carriage, side transfer carriage, side transfer railway system, winch motor, machine shop, standby and mobile generators, high capacity mobile cranes, boom trucks, backhoes, and an assist tugboat.
To date, AMICI has already serviced 40 vessels through drydocking at the AMICI Marine Shipyard.
LANDMARK DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
In September 2022, AMICI was officially granted the Class – B Ship Building and Ship Repair license by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA). A testament to strategic collaboration, the project materialized through support from key government agencies such as MARINA , the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippine Ports Authority and Bohol Local Government Units.
Positioned on an ideal geographic location at the center of the Philippine islands, AMICI is primed to become a pivotal hub for ship maintnance and repair. Its strategic location, coupled with easy accessibility to Cebu, a hub for half of the country’s shipping companies, amplifies its operational advantage.
Locally known as AMICI Marine Shipyard, this visionary initiative marks as Buenavista’s inaugural industrial venture. The development holds immense promise, especially for Bohol’s workforce, offering new career avenues. The ripple effect of AMICI’s operations will resonate within local communities, empowering Boholanos with diverse opportunities.
Beyond job creation, AMICI’s impact is seen to be profound as it sets the stage for a vibrant economic ecosystem, nurturing local suppliers, boosting revenue streams, and driving economic growth. This groundbreaking venture isn’t just a milestone in industrial development, it is also a catalyst for propelling Bohol towards regional prominence.
PIONEERING INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS
Committing to continuously incorporate the use of innovative technologies and streamlined sustainable processes, the Primary Group of Builders (PGB) established AMICI in 2018, and eventually started the development of its facility in 2019. It then recognized the industry’s perennial challenge — the shortage of skilled workers, a vital resource the shipping industry heavily relies on. Technologies in the ship building and repair industry are also evolving, requiring workers and shipyards to adapt and innovate continuously.
To bridge the manpower gap, the technical vocational institute established by PGB, The School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Service (SKILLS) inaugurated a Bohol branch to help develop skilled workers. Also, AMICI’s Maritime Cadetship program has graduated a handful of Boholano youths, promising more in the future.
As part of the esteemed PGB conglomerate with over 70 years of track record, AMICI aligns with group’s commitment to multifaceted business excellence across construction and manufacturing, real estate, shipping and logistics, health and lifestyle, and human capital development. PGB’s footprint in Bohol commenced in 2011, manifesting in various residential housing developments in different parts of Bohol as well as the operation of a batching plant by its construction and manufacturing arm.
AMICIs ascendancy as a modern shipyard is underpinned by its cutting-edge infrastructure, commitment to excellence, and a diverse array of services, positioning itself as a frontrunner in the Philippines’s maritime industry landscape.
CHANGING LIVES
Tuesday’s blessing and inauguration was attended by Gov. Aris Aumentado, Buenavista Mayor Dave Duallo and local officials and village officials,
Philippine National Police (PNP) -Buenavista, Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Office (Penro), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Philippine Coast Guard Coastguard (PCG), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), employees of Primary Group of Builders and stakeholders.
Duallo said that AMICI’s investment in Buenavista is a game changer. AMICI has employed 500 residents from Buenavista and neighboring towns.
“Nausab ang ilang kinabuhi ug tagsa-tagsa nga sitwasyon sa ilang kinabuhi,” said Duallo of AMICI’s employees.
Aumentado thanked the management of AMICI Ship Building and Ship Repair “for the trust that you have placed in Bohol.”
“As we open the doors for various opportunities, this will also indicate that Bohol is not just open for business, but rather we are ready to take the challenge of becoming a globally competitive province,” said Aumentado.
