A year on from its last interview with Inside Marine, Caribbean Dockyard & Engineering Services brings some exciting updates following the successful acquisition of its new semi-submersible platform in August 2025. CEO Anthony Alexander revealed more to Imogen Ward.
After a rocky few years, Caribbean Dockyard & Engineering Services is back on full form, having already completed several impressive projects after the arrival of its new semi-submersible AMT GOLIATH.
“The successful acquisition of a semi-submersible platform represents a major step forward for the company,” explained CEO Anthony Alexander. “It marks the beginning of rebuilding a critical segment within Trinidad and Tobago’s maritime infrastructure.”
Rebuilding solid foundations
Over the years, Caribbean Dockyard has developed an unmatched reputation for delivering premium ship maintenance, repair and testing. It was this stellar reputation that kept the company from disappearing completely when tragedy struck in 2022 and its long-term floating dock sank.
Thanks to the financial backing and support of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, a brand-new semi-submersible platform was delivered to the dockyard last year. The platform, which can accommodate vessels up to 120 metres in length, has a 20,000-tonne lifting capacity.
“The addition of the new semi-submersible platform has significantly expanded our capabilities,” continued Mr Alexander. “We are now in a better position to deliver the essential services demanded by our clients, including blasting and painting, hull repairs, and maintenance of propulsion systems.”
With the new platform in place, Caribbean Dockyard was able to begin taking projects on, once more. The first of which took place in November and saw the Dockyard conduct scheduled maintenance to a fast catamaran ferry.
“We were excited to begin work on APT James, a 97-metre-long fast catamaran ferry, late last year,” shared Mr Alexander. “We dedicated a month to this project and were incredibly pleased with the results.”
The APT James is one of the fast ferries that operates along the inter-island sea bridge, so implementing its five-year warranty dry-docking was incredibly important. The vessel’s dry-docking took place on 21st November and was a memorable event, with senior officials of the Ministry of Work and Infrastructure attending to witness the occasion.
Implementing critical upgrades
Now that the dockyard is fully operational again, Caribbean Dockyard has begun implementing an important upgrade programme. Focused on the Dockyard’s key facilities, the upgrade programme will see improvements take place on its two main piers (Pier Four and Pier Five), roadways and workshops.
“We expect these upgrades to be completed in stages, with final developments estimated to take place before the end of this year,” explained Mr Alexander. “The work includes refurbishment of the piers and repaving the roads. We also have plans to implement some serious upgrades to our equipment, including our cranes, forklifts, tractors, lifts, scaffolding, high-pressure washers and welding units. These efforts will ensure that every element of the Dockyard is ready for use.”
With a full quota of capabilities, including wet docking, emergency response, steel and fabrication works, and repairs, these upgrades will make a huge difference to Caribbean Dockyard’s ability to act quickly and respond effectively to a wide variety of customer requests.
Of course, everything that Caribbean Dockyard has achieved so far (and continues to work towards) would not have been possible without the ongoing support of the government and its long-standing suppliers and partners.
“Our suppliers, contractors, service providers and government stakeholders play a vital role in our operations,” explained Mr Alexander. “We maintain close working relationships with marine service providers, equipment suppliers, logistics partners and agents, and key institutions, including the Ministry of Works and Transport, and the Environmental Management Authority. Their collaborations have been instrumental to advancing our infrastructure development and regulatory processes.”
These partnerships will continue to play and important role in the Dockyard’s development as it works to realise its vision of becoming a one-stop marine and logistics repair hub for the Caribbean and wider Americas.
“Our yard is fully ISPS compliant, and it operates to a high degree of safety at all times,” said Mr Alexander. “We are also ABS and Lloyd’s Register certified, and we are ISO 9001:2015 compliant. These regulations ensure that we can serve our immediate locality but also allow us to broaden our reach into the wider Americas, which is a strong advantage for the Dockyard and Trinidad and Tobago’s maritime industry.”
Setting the course ahead
Fully operationalising the semi-submersible platform is another key focus moving forward. The company is determined to ensure that the platform operates in a safe and reliable manner at all times. In doing so, the Dockyard can remain commercially competitive.
“Preparing the yard to be repositioned as a regional hub in the Caribbean is incredibly exciting,” continued Mr Alexander. “Every vessel that comes here generates economic activity for us, while also creating opportunities for local labour, contractors, suppliers and agents in the wider marine sector. It is an incredibly rewarding position to be in, to witness Caribbean Dockyard & Engineering Services regain its competitive recognition as a serious regional ship repair facility.”
Being able to bring more jobs into the local area is a task that Caribbean Dockyard takes seriously. Keen to enhance the economy of its home country, the yard has implemented YTEPP in partnership with the government. This welding programme provides young people with the skills needed to excel in the industry.
“They can come and learn some of the trades that we have here, including welding and fabrication, plus pipes and valves machining,” shared Mr Alexander. “We are incredibly proud of this vibrant training programme, which has successfully trained an average of 15 people a year. These successful candidates have consequently been given the opportunity to join our team at the end of the course.”
As it continues to expand its workforce and implement its strategic upgrade programme, Caribbean Dockyard is open to growing.
“We are situated on 26.5 acres of land, so we have plenty of room for expansion and development,” said Mr Alexander, in conclusion. “We have already begun looking into the possibility of adding an additional dry dock, simple lift and travel lift to our facilities in the near future, with plans well underway.
“Everyone here at the Dockyard is highly motivated and excited to see where the future will take us. But no matter what the future has in store for us, we are proud to be back on track as one of the Caribbean’s leading ship repair facilities.”