Post by ferryfast admin on Jan 30, 2006 23:49:03 GMT -5
Incat nets $15m Govt loan for Japanese boat deal. 28/01/2006. ABC News Online
Last Update: Saturday, January 28, 2006. 11:21am (AEDT)
Incat nets $15m Govt loan for Japanese boat deal
The Tasmanian Government has offered Hobart shipbuilder Incat a $15 million loan to help it build two new catamarans for a Japanese company.
Incat has signed a letter of intent with the company to manufacture two 112-metre catamarans, in what will be the largest vessels the company has ever built.
It says it will need an extra 450 workers to complete the job and says the lack of skilled workers could be a problem.
Tasmanian Minister for Economic Development Lara Giddings says the State Government may be able to assist in finding more skilled workers.
"At this point in time we haven't specifically been asked to address the skills issue, but I'm sure as it becomes aware to the company what their needs are, they will talk to my Department as required and we'll certainly be there to assist them," he said.
Incat says it will try to rehire ex-employees to help build the two new catamarans.
Incat Tasmania managing director John Harris says finding enough skilled workers to fill the available positions will be a challenge.
"We like the rest of Australia do have an issue with skilled workers - there's no question about it," he said.
"But we have already started to address it in anticipation of this letter of intent and it's fair to say we'll redouble our efforts from here on in."
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Incat adds staff as orders roll in
By MICHELLE PAINE
The Mercury News
Tasmania
28jan06
INCAT hopes to boost staff by several hundred -- with approaches for three of its catamarans.
The Tasmanian Government said it was lending the shipbuilder $15 million in a secured loan facility "just in case", for its expansion phase.
Incat chairman Robert Clifford delivered the news of an approach by a European client and another for two 112-metre cats from a Japanese company, with an option for a third.
The first vessel likely to be delivered to Japan mid-2007 will be the biggest Incat has built and the world's largest diesel-powered ship, which can travel at more than 40 knots.
Incat has also received an order for a 98-metre vessel from a long-standing European client and has signed a contract for a charter vessel to Scandinavian MasterFerries.
"We're especially excited about our new relationship with a premier ship operator in Japan," Mr Clifford said.
Incat managing director Craig Clifford said new staff were already being taken on to supplement the present 300.
"It will depend on the marketplace and timing but 750 staff would be ideal," he said.
In anticipation, Incat had been boosting its workforce, taking on former employees and new trainees and others through labour hire organisations.
Government talks had culminated late last month with the standby loan.
"We may not need to call upon that," Craig Clifford said.
Economic Development Minister Lara Giddings said the company had paid back its 2001 $30 million loan in full, with interest.
Mr Clifford welcomed the State Government's assistance and said Ms Giddings had been helpful in meeting customers in Japan.
Ms Giddings said Incat's deals would inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy.
"Recently, the Tasmanian Government agreed to provide a fully-secured $15 million standby loan on commercial terms to Incat," she said.
The credit facility would enable Incat to order engines, jets, gearboxes and other equipment to complete hull 062 for the European customer.
The facility would only be drawn down if the normal commercial arrangements between Incat and the engine and equipment suppliers' terms expired before Incat had completed a sale for the finished vessel.
Greens Leader Peg Putt said the government must make its assistance processes more open.
"We're very pleased Incat has achieved that sale and letters of intent because they're a flagship for Tasmanian innovation, skilled engineering and maritime industry," Ms Putt said.
"Clearly, there's a role for government in support but it does highlight again the need for government to set out publicly-available processes and criteria for businesses seeking industry assistance."
Liberal economic development spokesman Will Hodgman welcomed the news and said the loan appeared to be a sensible decision.
"We're pleased the Lennon Government has decided to be open with the public about this for a change, though it is not clear why it did not reveal the information sooner," Mr Hodgman said.
Last Update: Saturday, January 28, 2006. 11:21am (AEDT)
Incat nets $15m Govt loan for Japanese boat deal
The Tasmanian Government has offered Hobart shipbuilder Incat a $15 million loan to help it build two new catamarans for a Japanese company.
Incat has signed a letter of intent with the company to manufacture two 112-metre catamarans, in what will be the largest vessels the company has ever built.
It says it will need an extra 450 workers to complete the job and says the lack of skilled workers could be a problem.
Tasmanian Minister for Economic Development Lara Giddings says the State Government may be able to assist in finding more skilled workers.
"At this point in time we haven't specifically been asked to address the skills issue, but I'm sure as it becomes aware to the company what their needs are, they will talk to my Department as required and we'll certainly be there to assist them," he said.
Incat says it will try to rehire ex-employees to help build the two new catamarans.
Incat Tasmania managing director John Harris says finding enough skilled workers to fill the available positions will be a challenge.
"We like the rest of Australia do have an issue with skilled workers - there's no question about it," he said.
"But we have already started to address it in anticipation of this letter of intent and it's fair to say we'll redouble our efforts from here on in."
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Incat adds staff as orders roll in
By MICHELLE PAINE
The Mercury News
Tasmania
28jan06
INCAT hopes to boost staff by several hundred -- with approaches for three of its catamarans.
The Tasmanian Government said it was lending the shipbuilder $15 million in a secured loan facility "just in case", for its expansion phase.
Incat chairman Robert Clifford delivered the news of an approach by a European client and another for two 112-metre cats from a Japanese company, with an option for a third.
The first vessel likely to be delivered to Japan mid-2007 will be the biggest Incat has built and the world's largest diesel-powered ship, which can travel at more than 40 knots.
Incat has also received an order for a 98-metre vessel from a long-standing European client and has signed a contract for a charter vessel to Scandinavian MasterFerries.
"We're especially excited about our new relationship with a premier ship operator in Japan," Mr Clifford said.
Incat managing director Craig Clifford said new staff were already being taken on to supplement the present 300.
"It will depend on the marketplace and timing but 750 staff would be ideal," he said.
In anticipation, Incat had been boosting its workforce, taking on former employees and new trainees and others through labour hire organisations.
Government talks had culminated late last month with the standby loan.
"We may not need to call upon that," Craig Clifford said.
Economic Development Minister Lara Giddings said the company had paid back its 2001 $30 million loan in full, with interest.
Mr Clifford welcomed the State Government's assistance and said Ms Giddings had been helpful in meeting customers in Japan.
Ms Giddings said Incat's deals would inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the economy.
"Recently, the Tasmanian Government agreed to provide a fully-secured $15 million standby loan on commercial terms to Incat," she said.
The credit facility would enable Incat to order engines, jets, gearboxes and other equipment to complete hull 062 for the European customer.
The facility would only be drawn down if the normal commercial arrangements between Incat and the engine and equipment suppliers' terms expired before Incat had completed a sale for the finished vessel.
Greens Leader Peg Putt said the government must make its assistance processes more open.
"We're very pleased Incat has achieved that sale and letters of intent because they're a flagship for Tasmanian innovation, skilled engineering and maritime industry," Ms Putt said.
"Clearly, there's a role for government in support but it does highlight again the need for government to set out publicly-available processes and criteria for businesses seeking industry assistance."
Liberal economic development spokesman Will Hodgman welcomed the news and said the loan appeared to be a sensible decision.
"We're pleased the Lennon Government has decided to be open with the public about this for a change, though it is not clear why it did not reveal the information sooner," Mr Hodgman said.