Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (ENVC) is a medium-sized shipyard in business since 1944, located in the town of Viana do Castelo, on the Atlantic Coast in the very north of Portugal. Occupying an area of 400,000 square metres and employing 625 people, it is a major Portuguese shipbuilder. In 2013 its assets and operations were sub-licensed to Martifer, which renamed them to West Sea Shipyard.[1]

Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo
(Viana do Castelo Naval Shipyards)
IndustryShipbuilding
Founded1944
Headquarters,
ProductsContainer ships
Oil tankers
Patrol boats
ServicesShipbuilding
OwnerState owned
Number of employees
608 (2013)
ParentEMPORDEF
Websitehttp://www.envc.pt/

Up to the present, the yard has delivered more than 220 vessels including barges, tugboats, ferry boats, fishing vessels, general cargo and bulk carriers, container ships, oil and chemical tankers, LPG's, cement carriers and warships.[2][3]

History

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The shipyards were funded on 3 June 1944 as a private limited liability company with a capital of 750,000$00 escudos as a part of a Portuguese government program to modernize the national fishing fleet. They were founded by a group of technicians and workers from the shipyards of the port of Lisbon and two of the first investors were Vasco D'Orey and João Alves Cerqueira, from the cod fishing industry. By 1946, the shipyards were accredited by Lloyd’s Register and in 1948 the company delivered its first three ships.[2][3]

In May 1949, the ENVC were constituted as an anonymous society with a PTE 37,000,000$00 capital. In 1950 the company H. Parry & Son, Lda. became the main shareholder and in 1971 the CUF group took over as the major shareholder.[2]

In 1975, following the Carnation Revolution the previous year, the shipyards were nationalized and became a state-owned company with a capital of PTE 330,000,000$00. In 1987 its capital was changed to 3 million contos.[2]

In 1991 the company was made an anonymous society with the Portuguese government remaining the major shareholder.[2]

In 2004, the Portuguese ministry of defense ordered eight patrol ships of the Viana do Castelo class from the shipyard. These faced delays and only two ships would be completed by 2013.[4]

In 2012, the shipyard was officially placed under a privatization process. By 2013, due to ongoing financial difficulties, ENVC was declared in a difficult economic situation, leading to its eventual bankruptcy and liquidation. Following this, a concession was granted to the Martifer Group to manage the shipyards, with plans to revive shipbuilding operations. Under this concession valid until 2031, the group pays annually 415 thousand euros to the Portuguese state.[3][5]

On December 20, 2013, MEP Ana Gomes filed a criminal complaint with the Attorney General's Office over the ENVC sub-concession to Ria/Martifer Energy, requesting the European Commission to suspend it.[6]

In November 2014, the European Parliament rejected a request to lift the parliamentary immunity of MEP Ana Gomes. This decision prevented Gomes from facing trial in Portugal for defamation in a case brought by Defense Minister José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, following her statements on the government's decision to privatize the Viana do Castelo Shipyards.[7][8] After the vote, Aguiar-Branco remarked that her accusations were personal and unrelated to her role as an MEP, suggesting that the European Parliament allows MEPs to speak without consequence.

On December 17, 2017, it was announced that, at the time of its formal dissolution, the Viana do Castelo Shipyards would report net losses exceeding €700 million.[9] The formal dissolution was scheduled for March 31, 2018.[10]

Ships built

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Between 1944 and 1974, 90% of ships were delivered to Portuguese shipowners and 50% were fishing vessels. During the late 1970s and 1980s, the Soviet Union became the shipyard's largest market, while during the 1990s, Germany became the largest contracter.[3]

Below are some of the ships that ENVC have built since 1948.[11]

No. Type Name IMO No. Company Country DWT Delivered
1 Fishing trawler Senhor dos Mareantes Empresa de Pesca de Viana Portugal 1,480 1948
2 Fishing trawler Senhora das Candeias Empresa de Pesca de Viana Portugal 1,480 1948
3 Fishing trawler São Gonçalinho Empresa de Pesca de Aveiro Portugal 1,480 1948
4 Fishing trawler João Martins Soc. Nacional Armadores Bacalhau Portugal 1,556 1952
5 Fishing trawler Cabo Branco Soc. Comercial Marítima Portugal 284 1948
6 Fishing trawler Sta. Teresinha Soc. Pesca Sta. Fé Portugal 293 1951
7 Fishing trawler Ilha do Corvo Soc. Armadores Pesca Arrasto Portugal 293 1951
8 Fishing trawler Alcyon Comp. Port. Pesca Portugal 295 1951
9 Fishing trawler Ilha Brava Soc. Armadores Pesca Arrasto Portugal 299 1951
10 Fishing trawler Ilha do Pico Soc. Armadores Pesca Arrasto Portugal 298 1951
11 Fishing trawler Rio Lima Empresa de Pesca de Viana Portugal 1,220 1952
12 General cargo Corubal Overseas Ministry Portugal 32 1952
13 General cargo Formosa Overseas Ministry Guinea-Bissau 32 1952
14 General cargo Funchalense Empresa Navegação Madeirense Portugal 582 1953
15 Hospital ship Gil Eanes 5130587 Grémio dos Armadores de Navios de Pesca do Bacalhau Portugal 2,274 1955
16 Ferry boat Cedros Empresa Insulana Navegação Portugal 351 1955
17 Ferry boat Arnel Empresa Insulana Navegação Portugal 351 1955
18 Barge Fonte Da Atalaia M. J. Pereira Portugal 420 1953
19 Tugboat Foz do Lima Soc. Coop. dos Catreiros do Porto de Lisboa Portugal 1953
20 Fishing vessel Allan Villiers Bacalhau Portugal Guinea-Bissau 1,327 1952
22 Fishing vessel San Tiago Soc. Nacional Armadores Bacalhau Portugal 1,288 1955
23 Ferry boat Eborense Parc. Vapor Lisbon Portugal 281 1954
24 Patrol boat Brava US Government United States 130 1956
25 Patrol boat Fogo US Government United States 131 1957
27 Fishing vessel Sra. Boa Viagem Atlântica Companhia Portuguesa de Pesca Portugal 1,273 1956
28 Fishing vessel S. Gabriel Soc. Luso Brasileira Portugal 1,307 1956
29 Tanker Shell Tagus Shell Portugal Portugal 1,334 1957
36 Ferry boat Alentejense Soc. Maritima Transportes Portugal 82 1957
37 Ferry boat Sesimbrense Soc. Maritima Transportes Portugal 76 1958
42 General cargo Lobito Companhia Colonial de Navegação Portugal 9,975 1959
47 General cargo Ponta Garça Companhia de Navegação Carregadores Açorianos Portugal 2,739 1960
48 Ferry boat Estremadura Portuguese Railway Company Portugal 162 1961
49 Ferry boat Algarve Portuguese Railway Company Portugal 153 1961
50 Replenishment oiler S. Gabriel Navy Ministry Portugal 9,854 1963
51 Fishing trawler Vasco D'Orey Empresa de Pesca de Viana Portugal 1,819 1961
52 Fishing trawler Sta. Maria Madalena Empresa de Pesca de Viana Portugal 1,825 1961
58 Tugboat Monte Castro JAP Douro Leixões Portugal 1963
62 Fishing trawler M. Teixeira Vilarinho 6413833 José M. Vilarinho Portugal 1,762 1964
63 Warship Alm. Magalhães Correa Navy Ministry Portugal 1968
64 Cement carrier Cecil Outão Secil Portugal 944 1964
65 Tanker Rocas Sacor Marítima Portugal 1,850 1965
70 Tugboat Atomo Man Soc. Coop. dos Catreiros do Porto de Lisboa Portugal 1965
71 General cargo Porto Companhia Colonial de Navegação Portugal 12,969 1968
73 Gas carrier Cidla 6708692 Sacor Marítima Portugal 1,841 1966
74 Gas carrier Bandim 6809599 Sacor Marítima Portugal 1,841 1967
77 Ferry boat Minho Portuguese Railway Company Portugal 162 1968
78 Ferry boat Tras-Os-Montes Portuguese Railway Company Portugal 162 1968
83 General cargo Malange Companhia Colonial de Navegação Portugal 14,813 1971
84 Ferry boat Lagos Portuguese Railway Company Portugal 153 1970
85 Ferry boat Alentejo Portuguese Railway Company Portugal 153 1970
87 Container ship Erika Fisser 7116781 Zaanlandse Scheepsbouw Maatschappij Netherlands 6,200 1971
88 Container ship Imela Fisser Zaanlandse Scheepsbouw Maatschappij Netherlands 6,200 1971
89 Container ship Elizabeth Fisser Zaanlandse Scheepsbouw Maatschappij Netherlands 6,200 1972
101 Chemical tanker Stolt Avance 7416935 Stolt Nielsen Norway 23,300 1977
102 Chemical tanker Stolt Avenir 7416947 Stolt Nielsen Norway 23,300 1978
103 RORO Farman 7619525 R.R.R. Intern. LDA Italia Italy 3,890 1979
104 RORO Fara 7619537 R.R.R. Intern. LDA Italia Italy 3,890 1980
105 General cargo Leninsky Komsomol Sudoimport Soviet Union 3,146 1979
106 General cargo Druzkha Naradov 7636755 Sudoimport Soviet Union 3,146 1979
107 General cargo Znamia Oktiabria 7636767 Sudoimport Soviet Union 3,146 1979
108 General cargo Sovetskaya Rodina 7636860 Sudoimport Soviet Union 3,146 1979
111 Fishing vessel Mar Utver H/F Olafsvik Iceland 370 1980
112 Fishing vessel Jon Baldvinsson Baejarvigerd Reyk Iceland 370 1980
114 Tanker Galp Sines 8001103 Sacor Marítima Portugal 18,732 1982
115 Tanker Galp Leixões 8001115 Sacor Marítima Portugal 18,732 1983
118 General cargo XVII Syezd Profsoyuzov 8035219 Sudoimport Soviet Union 3,134 1982
119 General cargo XI Pyatiletka 8101422 Sudoimport Soviet Union 3,134 1982
120 General cargo 65 Let Sovietskoy Vlasti Sudoimport Soviet Union 3,134 1983
123 Chemical tanker Global Rio 8220589 Global Transporte Oceânico Brazil 15,089 1985
124 Chemical tanker Global Maceió 8220577 Global Transporte Oceânico Brazil 15,089 1986
125 Barge Rita Socamar Portugal 4,832 1982
126 Barge Rute Socamar Portugal 4,832 1983
127 Barge Rota Socamar Portugal 4,712 1983
128 Barge Rumo Socamar Portugal 4,712 1983
129 Barge Raio Socamar Portugal 4,712 1983
169 General cargo Linde II Paphian Ship. Fisser Germany 6,340 1993
178 Cement carrier Koralia 8918409 Bambury Tank. Hold. (Nauru) CO Germany 8,500 1995
184 Chemical tanker Multitank Britannia 9114751 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1996
185 Chemical tanker Multitank Bahia 9114763 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1996
186 Chemical tanker Multitank Bracaria 9114775 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1997
191 Chemical tanker Multitank Brasilia 9125645 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1997
192 Chemical tanker Multitank Bolognia 9140815 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1997
193 Chemical tanker Multitank Badenia 9140827 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1997
194 Chemical tanker Multitank Balearia 9147461 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1997
195 Chemical tanker Multitank Batavia 9154323 Tankreederei Ahreinkiel GMBH Germany 5,846 1998
204 Container ship Insular 9150420 Transinsular Portugal 6,700 1998
206 Chemical tanker Aurora 9187497 PCS Phosphate Company, INC. United States 21,500 2000
211 Chemical tanker FS Vanessa 9231602 Fouquet Sacop France 19,117 2002
212 Chemical tanker FS Thais 9262259 Fouquet Sacop France 19,117 2003
213 Reefer Carmel Ecofresh 9267534 Orizont Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbG Germany 15,000 2003
214 Reefer Carmel Bio-Top 9267546 Orizont Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbG Germany 15,000 2004
215 Container ship Heinrich J 9157868 MPC Munchmeyer, Petersen GmbH & CO. KG Germany 6,700 1998
216 Container ship Michael J 9164421 MPC Munchmeyer, Petersen GmbH & CO. KG Germany 6,700 1998
224 Chemical tanker Kiisla 9267558 Fortum Oil Oyj Finland 14,000 2004
225 Chemical tanker Suula 9267560 Fortum Oil Oyj Finland 14,000 2005
227 Chemical tanker FS Philippine 9310305 Fouquet Sacop France 15,500 2005
234 Passenger ship Algarve Cruiser 9329344 Douro Azul Portugal 90 2005
235 Passenger ship Douro Queen 9329356 Douro Azul Portugal 90 2005
237 RORO/Ferry Lobo Marinho 9267390 Porto Santo Line Portugal 800 2003
238 Warship NRP Viana do Castelo 4610625 Navy Ministry Portugal 1,600 2011
254 General cargo Industrial Eagle 9407574 Schiffahrtgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG MS “APUS J” Germany 10,000 2008
255 General cargo Industrial Egret 9407586 MS “BELLATRIX J” Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Germany 10,000 2009

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Martifer fica com Estaleiros de Viana" (in Portuguese). Sol. November 27, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e "ENVC - Resumo Histórico" (in Portuguese). ENVC. Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d Leitão, Maria (2014). Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo (PDF) (in Portuguese).
  4. ^ Lusa (2013-07-31). "Segundo navio patrulha saiu dos Estaleiros de Viana oito anos depois de lançado à água". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-09-21.
  5. ^ Cruz, Andrea (2013-12-09). "Estaleiros de Viana: de percalço em percalço até à extinção". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  6. ^ "Ana Gomes apresenta queixa contra subconcessão dos estaleiros de Viana". www.cmjornal.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  7. ^ "Parlamento Europeu nega levantamento de imunidade de Ana Gomes". ZAP Notícias - Atualidade, mundo, ciência, saúde, desporto (in European Portuguese). 2014-11-13. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  8. ^ Falcão, Catarina; Lusa, Agência. "Parlamento Europeu não retira imunidade a Ana Gomes". Observador (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  9. ^ "Defesa - Saldo negativo superior a 700 milhões nos Estaleiros Navais de Viana". dn.pt. Archived from the original on 2017-12-13. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  10. ^ "Economia - Extinção dos Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo marcada para 31 de março". dn.pt. Archived from the original on 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  11. ^ "ENVC - Portfolio". web.archive.org. 2015-04-23. Retrieved 2024-09-21.
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