�Chinese shipyards are set to double their share of the world newbuilding market,� says Hugh Williams, ceo of Graig. �That creates a massive demand for ship design services. Graig and Carl Bro have worked together in China for the last five years, building the Confidence series of ships at Zhonghua Shipyard. Graig has supervised newbuildings for other owners at different Chinese yards, and Carl Bro has made designs for a number of Chinese shipyards. We know what the yards need, and we understand the needs of shipowners.�

Chinese shipyards currently rely on two local design offices, which produce about thirty ship designs annually. Graig Carl Bro will provide new standard designs, in addition to design consultancy from concept through to detailed design and drawings.

�Chinese yards are moving to a new level of technical sophistication, increasing the need for practical and innovative design work. The combination of our global design expertise and experience with Chinese yards mean that owners can now choose to build in China with greater confidence,� says Niels Chr.Engbjerg, director of Carl Bro. �We have already designed 49 ships which have been built in China. With Graig we are establishing a modern design office in Shanghai, with ten staff and the latest design tools and software. The joint venture can draw on expertise from Denmark yet provide on the spot service in the fast-growing and increasingly technically demanding Chinese market.�

John Coffin has been appointed general manager of Graig Carl Bro Ship Design. He has extensive experience of working with Chinese newbuilding projects and will be based in Shanghai.

Carl Bro a/s is an European-based international engineering and planning company, having its roots in Denmark, and employing a staff of approximately 2100, the majority of which work in Denmark and the UK. The group is active in more than 50 countries. It employs around 45 people in its ship design and consultancy division. They have been responsible for over 190 different designs, all of which have been built.

The Graig Group is a global marine services provider with interests in shipowning, shipmanagement, ship design, newbuilding supervision, shiprepair, IT support, and ship finance. One of the first shipowners from outside China to realise the potential of the Chinese yards, it has supervised over twenty-five newbuildings there on behalf of itself and major global shipowning groups. Graig has unique experience of working with Chinese shipyards, and its experienced Shanghai-based technical team are the guarantee that Graig�s clients and partners get the best out of China.