HARLAND and Wolff is to be thrown a lifeline by its Texan customer, Global Marine, following a crucial meeting today in Belfast. The shipyard and the offshore drilling group have come to a new agreement concerning the completion of two £200m drillships.
The Glomar CR Luigs and the Glomar Jack Ryan hold the key to the immediate future of the Belfast shipyard.
The state-of-the-art drillships are at the centre of a heated dispute between Harland and Wolff and Global Marine which now appears to be in the process of being settled.
The shipyard and its Texan customer are disputing contractual arrangements regarding the two drillships.
Although these arrangements are still under the spotlight, evidence of a new working partnership between the two parties emerged today.
Brynjulv Mugaas, chief executive of Harland and Wolff, said: "Our recent discussions with Global Marine have resulted in positive steps towards securing the funding needed to complete construction of the drillships in a timely manner." Global Marine chief, Jon Marshall added: "We will be working together to determine completion costs for the drillships and the amount of funding needed.
"We will then work together with Harland and Wolff and other interested parties on the development of suitable guarantees and funding that Global Marine will offer to Harland and Wolff to ensure completion of the vessels and contribute to the long term viability of the shipyard." Meetings are under way today at the Belfast shipyard between senior management from Harland and Wolff and Global Marine.
Senior trade union representatives are also taking
part in the discussions
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