OPV Project I, II
Cho Thavee Public Company Limited in Maritime Business ,In 2006 CTVCHO was approached by BAE Systems to consider becoming their Industrial Partner for defence work within Thailand.
In 2008, as the first major project BAE Systems, The Bangkok Dock (1957) Company Limited and CTVCHO joined together to submit a proposal to the Royal Thai Navy for the build of an Offshore Patrol Vessel in Thailand. The design proposed was based on the BAE Systems Amazon Class OPV delivered to Brazil for the Brazilian Navy.
Following a lengthy negotiation period the contract was awarded to Bangkok Dock and signed on June 30, 2009.
The OPV was constructed at Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard located in Sattahip, Chonburi Province. It was the first 90m OPV, complete with fully integrated combat system (supplied by THALES) and suitable armaments (76mm gun from OTO Melara and 30mm guns from MSI Defence) built by the Royal Thai Navy.
CTVCHO was a key member of the project team and provided the following areas of expertise:
Financial Management
All financial aspects of the OPV Project were managed by CTVCHO. Our activities covered the following: discussion with various banks for the best terms for the costs of Letters of Credit and forward exchange rate protection, budget planning for the project, cost management for the purchasing of equipment, materials and technical services to support the construction of the OPV by the Royal Thai Navy. The value of this activitiy was 1,700 Million Thai Baht.
Procurement Management
CTVCHO, as a key member of the OPV Project Team, was responsible for the procurement of all equipment, materials, fabrication and provision of manpower services for the OPV. This resulted in over 1,500 purchase orders being issued during the project with local and overseas suppliers. In additional, we managed more than 30 contracts placed with local and international companies.
Logistics Management
Another key element of the programme was Logistics Management which was managed by CTV DOLL. This covered activities such as customs clearance, custom tax exemption, transportation and inventory control of equipment and materials before submission to the Royal Thai Navy for acceptance
Project Risk Management
Risk is unavoidable in many activities and project. Due to many unforeseen risks Board of Directors of Bangkok Dock were reluctant to let their Executive sign the contract with Royal Thai Navy.But with our experience we have encouraged Bangkok Dock that the risk were manageable. And then CTVCHO has let the financial assurance to be stated in the contract. That was one of the key points in the OPV Project.
Engineering/Design Information Change
Thai OPV is a modification naval vessel from Base OPV of BAE Systems which has to modified as follows:
- 400VAC to 380VAC electrical systems
- Accommodation Space
- Some of Auxiliary Systems
- Main gun foundation
- Crane removal
- Issue construction drawings
- Technical support and trainings
- and more
CTVCHO being a newcomer to the maritime business (HTMS Krabi) has gained valuable experience from the OPV Project and now has an Engineering Team that has learnt about the challenging risks involved in such a programme.
The OPV was built under the control of Royal Thai Navy and was commissioned into service in August 2013. This was the first time for the Royal Thai Navy to build a 90m naval vessel.
Immediately following the commissioning of the OPV, named HTMS Krabi, the Royal Thai Navy embarked on a lengthy journey to Australia for the International Fleet Review 2013 in Sydney to celebrate the Australian Navy centenary celebrations.
HTMS Krabi departed Sattahip Naval Base on 1 September 2013 with 178 crews and naval cadet onboard. She returned to Thailand on 14 November 2013 safely, cover distance of more than 13,000 nautical miles.
The OPV project had its challenges as this was the first for industry and the Royal Thai Navy to build the design of an OPV from an
International Overseas Company (BAE Systems). Examples of the challenges were:
- Developing an understand of the Technology Transfer data from BAE Systems
- Learning to use TRIBON M3 - a fully Computer Aided Design Tool (This was the same CAD model as used by BAE Systems)
- Implementing specific design changes requested by the Royal Thai Navy (change from 440V to 380V Electrical System, integrating a complete Combat System that was different to the Amazon Class design)
- Interfacing with the Royal Thai Navy and the supplier of the Combat System
- Creating a procurement system for Naval Vessel Other than OPV Project CTVCHO also has activities in offshore business. In 2013 we supplied skilled workforces to ENSAFE
ACCOM PTE to renovate accommodation in Transocean’s Jack-Up Rig “Compact Driller”.
Although our head office is in Khon Kaen but we operated many of our projects apart from our headquarters. We also have good relationship with dockyards and subcontractors in maritime business in Thailand. We are capable to supply certified welders and skilled marine fitters.
After long experience in maritime business we would like to follow on our activities in this filed. We are looking for new challenges in new projects.
International maritime companies who are looking for an experienced local partner for maritime business in Thailand arewelcome.