Afai Ships

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Shipbuilder for aluminium ships. Products range in size from 20-120 metres, including catamaran ferries, high speed cargo ships, patrol boats, rescue vessels, etc. Propulsion packages include diesels to gas turbine engines, propeller to waterjets.

BACKGROUND Afai began in ship repairing for international shipping in 1949, developing quickly into shipbuilding. In 1963, the company opened its first shipyard in Hong Kong and immediately became a major repairer/builder in the colony. In 1982, Afai delivered Hong Kong and China's first aluminium catamaran ferry. With the explosion of high speed catamarans in and around Hong Kong from the mid 1980's onwards, Afai was a major repairer for these vessels. This allowed Afai first hand insight into all the technologies available worldwide in this field giving the company unparalleled advantages over competitors in building aluminium ships. Clients, classification societies, and even other shipyards have acclaimed Afai's shipyard.It is considered one of the best yards internationally in terms of product quality. Afai's success stems from its shipyard's excellent workforce, with its workers being selected for thier intelligence, motivation, and good character from the top technical colleges throughout China. Selected graduates are further taught at the training centre within the shipyard. In recognition of the company's excellence, Afai received the 1998 Business Promotions Award from the Hong Kong Australian Chamber of Commerce. ACTIVITIES Afai specialises in the construction of aluminium vessels. Sizes vary from 20 to 120 metres in length. The company uses propulsion packages ranging from diesels to gas turbine engines, and propellers to waterjets. Vessel types include passenger fast ferries, car/passenger high speed ferries, patrol boats, rescue vessels, high speed cargo ships, and so on. Afai's portfolio of designs includes vessels that operate in excess of 60 knots. In 1998, measuring 80 metres LOA and able to travel 50 knots, Afai delivered Asia's fastest and China's largest high speed ferry. Afai's shipyard is situated in Panyu, China and boasts two undercover production bays totalling 84 metres width, with a clear building height of 25 metres, and total slipway length of 186 metres each. These production bays have multi slipways of six on each bay. This allows for continual construction of varying vessel sizes, giving clients a wider choice of aluminium vessel types. The yard also includes a modern fabrication facility, its own power generators, office buildings, dormitories, storage sheds,and so on.

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